Abstract
Background: Mental illness symptoms can trigger substance use cravings, which are strongly associated with relapse. Aim: Our study examines differences in substances craved among adults entering inpatient mental health (MH) and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs in 2018. Method: Our sample includes 2,486 adults; 1,686 adults admitted to MH programs and 800 adults admitted to SUD programs. We conducted chi-square tests and Fisher’s exact tests to determine group differences, with a Bonferroni correction to adjust the alpha for multiple tests. Results: We found that patients programmed to SUD services more often reported alcohol (39.99 vs. 49.63%; x2 (1, N = 2,488) =20.56, p<0.001) and opioid (8. 00% vs. 35.88%; x2 (1, N = 2,488) =299.48, p < 0.001) cravings. Patients programmed to MH primary more often reported cannabis (16. 35% vs. 1.00%; x2 (1, N=2,488) =299.48, p<0.001), stimulants (10.25% vs. 6.13%; x2(1, N =2,488) = 11.36, p < 0.001), and “other substances” cravings (21.45% vs. 3.25; x2 (2, N = 2,488) =136.52, p <0.001). Both groups mostly did not report secondary cravings. Conclusions: Because cravings can negatively impact treatment success of patients with co-occurring disorders, cravings should be assessed upon admission to mental health or SUD inpatient treatment.
Highlights
Mental illness symptoms can trigger substance *Correspondence to Author: use cravings, which are strongly associated with relapse.Susan M
Because cravings can negatively impact treatment success of patients with co-occurring disorders, cravings should be assessed upon admission to mental health or stance use disorder (SUD)
Cravings, which are defined as subjective intense urges to use a particular substance or substances [1, 2], constitute a biological component of substance use disorders (SUDs) that can impede abstinence [3], especially among individuals with co-occurring mental illnesses [46]
Summary
Our study examines differences in substances craved School of Social Work, Georgia among adults entering inpatient mental health (MH) and sub- State University, 55 Park Place, stance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs in 2018. The purpose of this study is to investigate similarities and differences in primary and secondary substances craved among individuals admitted to inpatient psychiatric hospitals and programmed to either primary mental health (n=1,688) or primary substance use disorder treatment (n=800)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
