Robin G McCreadie1. 1. Department of Clinical Research, Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries DG1 4TG, UK. rgmccreadie_crh@compuserve.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Specialised services should be developed to help people with schizophrenia and associated substance misuse. The extent of the problem therefore needs to be known. AIMS: To determine the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco by people with schizophrenia drawn from rural, suburban and urban settings, and to compare use by general population control subjects. METHOD: People with schizophrenia (n=316) and general population controls of similar gender distribution, age and postcode area of residence (n=250) were identified in rural, urban and suburban areas of Scotland. Use of drugs and alcohol was assessed by the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry, and use of tobacco by a questionnaire. RESULTS: More patients than controls reported problem use of drugs in the past year (22 (7%) v. 5 (2%)) and at some time before then (50 (20%) v. 15 (6%)) and problem use of alcohol in the past year (42 (17%) v. 25 (10%)) but not at some time previously (99 (40%) v. 84 (34%)). More patients were current smokers (162 (65%) v. 99 (40%)). CONCLUSIONS: Problem use of drugs and alcohol by people with schizophrenia is greater than in the general population, but absolute numbers are small. Tobacco use is the greatest problem.
BACKGROUND: Specialised services should be developed to help people with schizophrenia and associated substance misuse. The extent of the problem therefore needs to be known. AIMS: To determine the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco by people with schizophrenia drawn from rural, suburban and urban settings, and to compare use by general population control subjects. METHOD:People with schizophrenia (n=316) and general population controls of similar gender distribution, age and postcode area of residence (n=250) were identified in rural, urban and suburban areas of Scotland. Use of drugs and alcohol was assessed by the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry, and use of tobacco by a questionnaire. RESULTS: More patients than controls reported problem use of drugs in the past year (22 (7%) v. 5 (2%)) and at some time before then (50 (20%) v. 15 (6%)) and problem use of alcohol in the past year (42 (17%) v. 25 (10%)) but not at some time previously (99 (40%) v. 84 (34%)). More patients were current smokers (162 (65%) v. 99 (40%)). CONCLUSIONS: Problem use of drugs and alcohol by people with schizophrenia is greater than in the general population, but absolute numbers are small. Tobacco use is the greatest problem.
Authors: Joanne Voisey; Christopher D Swagell; Ian P Hughes; Jason P Connor; Bruce R Lawford; Ross M Young; C Phillip Morris Journal: Behav Brain Funct Date: 2010-07-09 Impact factor: 3.759
Authors: Prisca Weiser; Thomas Becker; Carolin Losert; Köksal Alptekin; Loretta Berti; Lorenzo Burti; Alexandra Burton; Mojca Dernovsek; Eva Dragomirecka; Marion Freidl; Fabian Friedrich; Aneta Genova; Arunas Germanavicius; Ulaş Halis; John Henderson; Peter Hjorth; Taavi Lai; Jens Ivar Larsen; Katarzyna Lech; Ramona Lucas; Roxana Marginean; David McDaid; Maya Mladenova; Povl Munk-Jørgensen; Alexandru Paziuc; Petronela Paziuc; Stefan Priebe; Katarzyna Prot-Klinger; Johannes Wancata; Reinhold Kilian Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2009-08-28 Impact factor: 3.295