Citation

Lecomte T, Mueser KT, MacEwan WG, Laferriere-Simard MC, Thornton AE, Buchanan T, Goldner E, Brink J, Ehmann TS, Lang D, Kang S, Barr AM, Honer WG. Ment. Health Subst. Use 2010; 3(3): 168-181.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/17523281.2010.504645

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine psychosis (MAP) is commonly encountered in psychiatric emergency rooms (ERs) in North America, and little is known regarding the specific needs of this clientele. Aims: This study aimed at describing the psychiatric and socioeconomic profiles of individuals with co-occurring methamphetamine abuse and psychosis profiles.

METHOD: Two hundred and ninety-five (295) individuals needing psychiatric help for MAP were assessed regarding their socioeconomic situation, their substance abuse patterns, family histories, past psychiatric diagnoses, childhood trauma, and co-occurring disorders of depression, PTSD and antisocial personality disorder.

RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent had a family history of mental illness or substance abuse and close to 70% had a previous diagnosis of a mental illness, although only 21% of a psychotic disorder. Antisocial personality disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder were highly prevalent in our sample. Cluster analyses on methamphetamine (MA) use revealed two profiles: high users (daily, high quantities and inject MA) and low users. No significant differences between the profiles were found for symptoms, but high users were more likely to have antisocial personality disorder and to have experienced childhood abuse than the low users.

CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of comorbidities in this sample of individuals with MAP suggests that treatments address multiple targets and not only substance misuse and severe mental illness. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; violence; suicide; female; male; accident; alcoholism; child abuse; bipolar disorder; cannabis; disaster; depression; schizophrenia; psychosis; comorbidity; posttraumatic stress disorder; cocaine; substance abuse; article; major clinical study; mental disease; priority journal; sexual crime; methamphetamine; family history; drug dependence; diamorphine; methadone; childhood injury; 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine; mania; attention deficit disorder; sedative agent; psychopathy; military service; clinical assessment; 4 hydroxybutyric acid; cannabichromene; profile