The prevalence and manifestation of substance use paralleling behaviours in a secure forensic psychiatric hospital

Abstract

Co-morbid substance dependence is common in patients of secure psychiatric services. Identifying opportunities for intervention, monitoring progress in treatment and assessing risk of relapse are compromised by this group's limited access to illicit substances. This research investigated the validity of the substance use paralleling behaviour (SUPB) framework, which was developed to assist staff in identifying behaviours indicative of substance dependence in controlled environments. Thirty-one patients admitted to the acute units of a secure forensic psychiatric hospital were interviewed and assessed with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scales, the structured clinical interview for DSM disorders substance use disorders module, and an original questionnaire measuring motivations for drug use and behaviours indicative of substance dependence in a controlled setting (SUPBs). Results showed that patients with a history of substance dependence preceding admission engaged in more SUPBs during hospitalisation than ...