Sociodemographic and substance characteristics among adolescents with psychotic disorders

Abstract

Background Over the preceding time, there is a significant bidirectional relationship between substance use and the development of psychiatric disorders during the adolescent stage. The comorbidity of substance use among adolescents with mental disorders is a major challengeable public health concern. This study examined the sociodemographic correlates and substance-use patterns among adolescents with psychotic disorders versus nonpsychotic psychiatric disorders (controls). Patients and methods This is a case–control study on 76 adolescents diagnosed with different psychotic disorders and another group of 76 adolescents with nonpsychotic psychiatric disorders using Mini-Plus International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale, and Alcohol, Smoking, Substance Involvement Screening Test and urine test. Results Substantial sociodemographic differences were found among the adolescents with psychotic disorders (case) (72.4% nonemployed, 71.1% rural areas, and 2.6% governmental healthcare services) compared with controls (60.5% nonemployed, 39.5% rural areas, and 28.9% governmental healthcare services), also, there was a significant difference in substance-use pattern among cases (lifelong use of tobacco 81.6%, cannabis 80.3%, and opioids 90.8%, with more substance-related problems) compared with controls (lifelong use of tobacco 61.8%, cannabis 55.3%, and opioids 73.7%, with less substance-related problems). Conclusion The sociodemographic variables related to rural residence, nonemployment, less approach to governmental health service, and positive family history of psychiatric disorders were the major contributing factors for psychotic disorders in adolescents with substance use. The lifetime use of cannabis and opioids was the major risk of developing psychosis among adolescents.