Investigation of the comorbidity of psychiatric disorder and substance use disorder among inpatients of a public psychiatric hospital in an urban area in Greece

Background: Τhe prevalence of comorbidity is high among outpatients in rehabilitation centres and in psychiatric clinics. Aims: To investigate the level and type of comorbid psychiatric disorder and substance use disorder among inpatients of a psychiatric clinic in a public psychiatric hospital in an urban area in Greece, and to distinguish the characteristics of the dual diagnosis population, in order to help develop specialised services. Method: All patients admitted over a 12-month period were given the CAGE questionnaire and part of the EUROPASI questionnaire addressing substance use. This was followed by a diagnostic interview to establish the final diagnosis in accordance with the DSM-IV criteria. Results: A total of 313 patients were assessed. Present substance use disorder was identified in 102 individuals (32.6%), and involved one substance in 70 cases (68.6%) and more than one in 32 cases (31.4%). The principal substances involved in addiction or abuse were alcohol, cannabis, benzodiazepines and...