Psychopathology in Substance Use Disorder Patients with and without Substance-Induced Psychosis

Simon Zhornitsky; Andràs Tikàsz; Élie Rizkallah; Jean-Pierre Chiasson; Stéphane Potvin

doi:10.1155/2015/843762

Psychopathology in Substance Use Disorder Patients with and without Substance-Induced Psychosis

J Addict. 2015:2015:843762. doi: 10.1155/2015/843762. Epub 2015 Aug 31.

Authors

Simon Zhornitsky¹, Andràs Tikàsz², Élie Rizkallah³, Jean-Pierre Chiasson⁴, Stéphane Potvin²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4.
² Centre de recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, 7331 Hochelage Street, Montreal, QC, Canada H3P 3E5 ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC, Canada H3T 1J4.
³ Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, 100 Sherbrooke West Street, Montreal, QC, Canada H2X 3P2 ; Clinique du Nouveau Départ, 1110 Avenue Beaumont, Montreal, QC, Canada H3P 3E5.
⁴ Clinique du Nouveau Départ, 1110 Avenue Beaumont, Montreal, QC, Canada H3P 3E5.

Abstract

Background. Substance-induced psychotic disorder (SIPD) is a diagnosis constructed to distinguish substance-induced psychotic states from primary psychotic disorders. A number of studies have compared SIPD persons with primary psychotic patients, but there is little data on what differentiates substance use disorder (SUD) individuals with and without SIPD. Here, we compared psychopathology, sociodemographic variables, and substance use characteristics between SUD patients with and without SIPD. Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted on newly admitted patients at a rehabilitation centre between 2007 and 2012. Results. Of the 379 patients included in the study, 5% were diagnosed with SIPD (n = 19) and 95% were diagnosed with SUDs without SIPD (n = 360). More SIPD patients reported using cannabis and psychostimulants, and fewer SIPD patients reported using alcohol than SUDs patients without SIPD. SIPD patients scored higher on the "schizophrenia nuclear symptoms" dimension of the SCL-90R psychoticism scale and exhibited more ClusterB personality traits than SUD patients without SIPD. Discussion. These data are consistent with previous studies suggesting that psychopathology, substance type, and sociodemographic variables play important role in the development of SIPD. More importantly, the results highlight the need for paying greater attention to the types of self-reported psychotic symptoms during the assessment of psychotomimetic effects associated with psychoactive substances.