Substance Use Disorder Patients Research Articles

Effect of schizophrenia and substance use disorder on depressive symptoms and stressful life events

Aim of the studyThe main aim of this study was to examine the mutual effect of schizophrenia and substance use disorder on depression and stress level.Subject or material and methodsThe sample comprised a total of 184 participants, including 51 patients with schizophrenia (S), 45 with dual diagnosis (DD), 44 with substance use disorder (SUD) and 44 healthy controls (HC). The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were used to measure depressive symptom severity, while the Social Readjustment Rating Scale was used for the assessment of stressful life events.ResultsWe found a greater main effect of substance use disorder relative to schizophrenia on the severity of depression symptoms and stressful life events. In addition, the observed significant interaction effect for stressful life events suggested that SUD patients experienced their greatest number while HC reported the fewest such incidents. Interestingly, significant links between stressful life events and depressive symptoms emerged in both SUD patients and HC. What is more, disease duration and exacerbations were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in DD and S patients.DiscussionThis study demonstrated the effect of schizophrenia and substance use disorders on depressive symptoms and the severity of stress. The relationship between stressful life events and depressive symptom severity was also investigated.ConclusionsCompared to schizophrenia, substance use disorder has a stronger effect on the presence of depression symptoms and the occurrence of stressful life events. The factors modifying depression symptom severity in both schizophrenia groups differ from those found in SUD patients and HC.

Learning to Identify High-Risk Substance Use Disorders in Patients Receiving Palliative Care

Learning to Identify High-Risk Substance Use Disorders in Patients Receiving Palliative Care

Purpose in life, loneliness and depression among patients with substance use disorders in the psychiatric hospitals in Ghana.

Substance use disorder is a global mental health issue. Purpose in life, Loneliness and depression are key indicators of poor mental health, and people with substance use disorder are more likely to experience low purpose in life, depression, and loneliness. This study aims to further the understanding of purpose in life, depression and loneliness among substance use disorders (SUD) patients in three hospitals in Ghana. It uses a cross-sectional survey design. A total of 425 SUD inpatients were screened. Beck Depression Inventory-II, the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the Purpose in Life Test were utilised to measure depression, loneliness, and purpose in life respectively. Data were analysed using the SPSS version 23 for Windows. Data from 378 participants were collected for this study using a cross sectional survey design; after data cleaning, frequency tables (for categorical variables) and descriptive statistics (for continuous variables) were used to summarise the demographics and the three outcome variables depression, purpose in life, and loneliness. Our findings indicate that overall, participants are more likely to experience low sense of purpose in life, depression, and loneliness compared to the general population. There was no statistically significant relationship between depression and loneliness (r = 0.030, p = 0.567). There was a statistically significant negative relationship between depression and purpose in life (r = -0.514, p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant positive relationship between purpose in life and loneliness (r = 0.147, p = 0.004). There was no gender difference in depression, purpose in life, and loneliness among SUDs patients in psychiatric hospitals. There were no significant differences in purpose in life, depression and loneliness based on marital status. It is anticipated that the findings of this study will inform policies and clinical practice regarding service provision for patients with SUDs.

An epigenetic candidate-gene association study of parental styles in suicide attempters with substance use disorders.

Suicide attempts (SA) are prevalent in substance use disorders (SUD). Epigenetic mechanisms may play a pivotal role in the molecular mechanisms of environmental effects eliciting suicidal behaviour in this population. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), oxytocin and neurotrophin pathways have been consistently involved in SA, yet , their interplay with childhood adversity remains unclear, particularly in SUD. In 24 outpatients with SUDs, we examined the relation between three parental dysfunctional styles and history of SA with methylation of 32 genes from these pathways, eventually analysing 823 methylation sites. Extensive phenotypic characterization was obtained using a semi-structured interview. Parental style was patient-reported using the Measure of Parental Style (MOPS) questionnaire, analysed with and without imputation of missing items. Linear regressions were performed to adjust for possible confounders, followed by multiple testing correction. We describe both differentially methylated probes (DMPs) and regions (DMRs) for each set of analyses (with and without imputation of MOPS items). Without imputation, five DMRs in OXTR, CRH and NTF3 significantly interacted with MOPS father abuse to increase the risk for lifetime SA, thus covering the three pathways. After imputation of missing MOPS items, two other DMPs from FKBP5 and SOCS3 significantly interactedwith each of the three father styles to increase the risk for SA. Although our findings must be interpreted with caution due to small sample size, they suggest implications of stress reactivity genes in the suicidal risk of SUD patients and highlight the significance offather dysfunction as a potential marker of childhood adversity in SUD patients.

Prevalence of psychosis and its relationship with substance use disorder in patients with bipolar disorder in Iran

BackgroundThe correlation between psychosis and bipolar disorder is a crucial and complex matter that requires attention and study. In this study, researchers examined the relationship between the current episode status, substance use disorder, different types of substance use, and psychotic symptoms in inpatients with bipolar disorder. MethodsThe study included 150 patients who were diagnosed with bipolar disorder based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). These patients were referred to the emergency department of Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital in Iran between November 2019 and February 2020. The Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-5 (SCID-5) questionnaire was used to diagnose the patient's bipolar disorder, including episodes of depression and mania, as well as their substance use disorder. The type of substance used and the pattern of its use were also evaluated using this questionnaire. Additionally, a faculty member of the psychiatry department at Tehran University of Medical Sciences carefully evaluated the patient's condition for the presence of psychotic symptoms using a psychiatric diagnostic interview. ResultsOut of 150 inpatients diagnosed with bipolar disorder, 89 (59.3 %) had comorbid substance use disorder. Among these 89 patients, 42 (47.2 %) had psychotic symptoms, whereas 79 (52.7 %) of the total 150 inpatients had psychotic symptoms. There was no significant relationship between substance use disorder (p-value=0.86), the type of substance used in a recent episode (p-value=0.93), and the current episode type (p-value=0.69) with psychotic symptoms. LimitationsThe study's generalizability is limited to hospital patients with bipolar disorder. Additionally, since it was a cross-sectional study, causal interpretation was not possible. ConclusionsThe study suggests a primary link between bipolar disorder and psychosis, independent of substance use. Longitudinal multicenter studies with larger sample sizes are recommended.

Like cheese and chalk or cross-fertilization? A qualitative exploration of how addiction patients perceive treatment in a general psychiatry ward

Background Addiction has historically been conceptualized and treated differently to other conditions. Studies suggest that healthcare staff perceive patients with substance use disorders (SUD) as a specific subgroup with distinct and challenging needs yet SUD patients frequently receive treatment in general psychiatry settings. Notwithstanding, knowledge of how SUD patients view themselves compared to other psychiatric patients and how they experience treatment in general psychiatry settings is lacking. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 22 SUD patients voluntarily hospitalized in the acute psychiatric unit of a general hospital to explore the lived experiences of SUD patients receiving detoxification in an acute psychiatry ward. Data were analyzed using Thematic Content Analysis. Results Two primary themes and five subthemes emerged: (A) Patient perceptions of the problem and its consequences’, which includes the subcategories (i) Patient views of addiction, (ii) Staff perception of the patients; and (B) Lived experiences within the specific setting with subthemes (i) Interaction with the specific setting, (ii) Interaction with fellow patients, and (iii) Perception of staff by patients. Conclusions Overall, SUD patients had mixed perceptions; while many appreciated aspects of their hospitalization, others faced challenges in having all their needs met. Implementing policy-level interventions, like integrating SUD patient needs into psychiatry ward design and ensuring adequate resource allocation and staff training, could improve care quality for addiction patients in general psychiatry settings.

Association of substance-use disorder with outcomes of major elective abdominal operations: A contemporary national analysis

BackgroundAffecting >20million people in the U.S., including 4 % of all hospitalized patients, substance use disorder (SUD) represents a growing public health crisis. Evaluating a national cohort, we aimed to characterize the association of concurrent SUD with perioperative outcomes and resource utilization following elective abdominal operations. MethodsAll adult hospitalizations entailing elective colectomy, gastrectomy, esophagectomy, hepatectomy, and pancreatectomy were tabulated from the 2016–2020 National Inpatient Sample. Patients with concurrent substance use disorder, comprising alcohol, opioid, marijuana, sedative, cocaine, inhalant, hallucinogen, or other psychoactive/stimulant use, were considered the SUD cohort (others: nSUD). Multivariable regression models were constructed to evaluate the independent association between SUD and key outcomes. ResultsOf ∼1,088,145 patients, 32,865 (3.0 %) comprised the SUD cohort. On average, SUD patients were younger, more commonly male, of lowest quartile income, and of Black race. SUD patients less frequently underwent colectomy, but more often pancreatectomy, relative to nSUD.Following risk adjustment and with nSUD as reference, SUD demonstrated similar likelihood of in-hospital mortality, but remained associated with increased odds of any perioperative complication (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 1.17, CI 1.09–1.25). Further, SUD was linked with incremental increases in adjusted length of stay (β + 0.90 days, CI +0.68–1.12) and costs (β + $3630, CI +2650–4610), as well as greater likelihood of non-home discharge (AOR 1.54, CI 1.40–1.70). ConclusionsConcurrent substance use disorder was associated with increased complications, resource utilization, and non-home discharge following major elective abdominal operations. Novel interventions are warranted to address increased risk among this vulnerable population and address significant disparities in postoperative outcomes.

Childhood sexual abuse and suicide attempts in patients with substance use disorders: The mediating role of emotion dysregulation

BackgroundSuicide attempts (SA) are a public health concern because of increasing prevalence and clinical implications. Childhood trauma (CT) and emotion dysregulation (ED) have been proposed as predictors of SA, but few data are available in patients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). ObjectiveOur study aims to investigate the association of sociodemographic/clinical variables, CT typologies, and ED features with SA in SUD patients. Participants and settingSubjects with SUD were screened in an outpatient setting. The final sample consisted of 226 patients, subdivided according to the presence of lifetime SA (SUD, n = 163 vs. SUD-SA, n = 63). MethodsParticipants were compared for sociodemographic and clinical information. CT and ED were assessed through the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF) and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), respectively. We performed a mediation analysis to test the effect of CT and ED on SA. ResultsPatients with a history of SA (27.9 %) displayed more psychiatric comorbidities (p = 0.002) and hospitalizations (p < 0.001), higher scores at CTQ-SF sexual abuse (p < 0.001) and DERS ‘impulse’ (p = 0.002), ‘goals’, ‘non-acceptance’, ‘strategies’ (p < 0.001) subscales. The relationship between CTQ-SF sexual abuse and SA was significantly mediated by DERS ‘strategies’ (p = 0.04; bootstrapped 95 % LLCI-ULCI = 0.004–0.024). ConclusionsCT and different dimensions of ED were associated with SA in SUD patients. In our sample, the effects of childhood sexual abuse on SA were mediated by limited access to emotion regulation strategies. SUD patients are burdened with higher all-cause mortality, and CT and lifetime SA can worsen clinical outcomes. Clarifying the reciprocal interactions of psychopathological dimensions may help deliver targeted interventions and reduce suicide risk in specific populations.

Managing the Dual Diagnosis Dilemma of Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse in Clinical Settings

Objective: Drug addiction is a chronic mental disorder that significantly impacts all aspects of an individual’s life, and substance use disorder in patients with bipolar disorder. The objective of this study is to assess the frequency of substance abuse among patients with bipolar spectrum disorder. Method: This cross-sectional study evaluated the frequency of bipolar spectrum disorder in patients taking methadone through various screening measures, including Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), DSM IV criteria, Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ), Goodwin and Ghaemi’s criteria, and Akiskal classification for bipolar disorders. Results: Out of the total 197 participants in the study, 77 were identified as individuals engaging in poly-substance abuse. The investigation assessed the frequency of bipolar spectrum disorder based on various diagnostic criteria: 24% according to DSM-IV criteria, 29.9% using MDQ, 29.9% based on Ghaemi and Goodwin’s criteria, and the highest rate at 48.2% when applying Akiskal’s classification. Conclusions: This study highlights the high frequency of bipolar disorder among individuals with substance use disorder, especially those with concomitant depression. Therefore, it is crucial to pay special attention to individuals with substance use disorder with co-existing bipolar disorder.

Hospitalists' Attitudes and Experiences With Posthospitalization Care Transitions for Patients With Substance Use Disorders: A Cross-sectional Analysis.

Medical hospitalizations are relatively common among individuals who have substance use disorders (SUDs) and represent opportunities for patient engagement and treatment. Posthospitalization transitions of care are an important element of providing full-spectrum inpatient SUD care; however, little is known about clinicians' experiences with postdischarge care transitions. We conducted a cross-sectional study surveying hospital-based medical clinicians (ie, "hospitalists") across 2 large health systems in the state of Utah to assess current practices, barriers, facilitators, and perceptions toward posthospitalization care transitions for patients with SUDs. We used Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to identify the most impactful barriers and facilitators among all respondents. We used logistic regression models to explore the influence of hospitalists' attitudes toward providing SUD care on perceived barriers and facilitators. The survey was distributed to 429 individuals across 15 hospitals. Eighty-two hospitalists responded to the survey (response rate, 21.4%). Most respondents frequently cared for hospitalized patients with SUDs (n = 63, 77%) and prescribed medications for SUDs (n = 44, 56%). Four respondents (5%) felt that patients received adequate support during care transitions. Lack of social support (P < 0.001) and social factors such as lack of transportation (P < 0.001) were perceived as the largest barriers to successful care transitions. Conversely, a partnering outpatient clinic/clinician (P < 0.001) and outpatient-based care coordination (P < 0.001) were perceived as the strongest facilitators. Respondents' attitudes toward people with SUDs had a modest effect on perceived barriers and facilitators. Hospitalists perceived increased outpatient SUD treatment infrastructure and transitional care supports as most important in facilitating posthospitalization care transitions for patients with SUDs.

The relationship between the Hopkins symptom checklist-10 and diagnoses of anxiety and depression among inpatients with substance use disorders

Introduction The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10 (HSCL-10) is a self-report inventory of anxiety and depression symptoms that may assist clinicians in screening for clinical conditions among patients with substance use disorder (SUD). We examined the HSCL-10 as a screening tool for anxiety and depressive disorders within a general population of SUD inpatients. Methods We used data from a cohort study of 611 SUD inpatients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were conducted, with and without covariates, to evaluate the potential of the HSCL-10 as a screening tool. This was explored using any anxiety disorder, especially posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and any mood disorder, especially major depressive disorders, as the outcome criteria. Candidate covariates included gender, age, education, polydrug use and treatment center. Results: The HSCL-10 had a moderate ability to identify caseness (i.e. having or not having a clinical diagnosis) according to each outcome criterion, with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) varying from 0.64 to 0.66. Adding relevant covariates markedly enhanced the instrument’s ability to identify those who met the criteria for any anxiety disorder (AUC = 0.77), especially PTSD (AUC = 0.82). Conclusion In a real-world clinical setting, the HSCL-10 has fair-to-good clinical utility for identifying SUD inpatients who have comorbid clinical symptoms of anxiety disorders or PTSD, when combined with common background variables. The HSCL-10, a brief self-report screening tool, may serve as an efficient proxy for comprehensive interviews used in research and for clinical anxiety symptom screening among patients with SUD.

Abstinence duration and psychopathology among addiction outpatients during 18 months of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of patients with substance use disorder (SUD). However, few longitudinal studies have been done which examine associations between the pandemic, SUD patients' mental health and their drug use. This study aimed to examine duration of abstinence according to psychiatric status among SUD outpatients followed-up for 18 months from the pandemic related lockdown. A follow-up study of 316 SUD outpatients was undertaken. Sociodemographic features, and clinical and consumption related variables were recorded. Pre, during and post lockdown information was evaluated. Abstinence/substance use was monitored at the patient's scheduled follow-up appointments, and psychiatric disorders and psychological variables were revaluated at 18 months. Survival analyses were used to compare the duration of abstinence (in months) from the beginning of the lockdown. It was observed that 70% of patients consumed the main substance for which they were being treated at some point during the follow-up. Men, younger patients, those with more symptoms of anxiety and personality disorders, and patients who experienced increased craving during follow-up, showed shorter duration of abstinence. While patients who had previously maintained at least one year of abstinence, achieved better results. During the first year and a half of the pandemic, SUD outpatients presented alterations in mental health, such us anxiety, depression and maladaptive personality traits and a high rate of relapse. For this reason, despite the health and social crisis and their restrictive measures, a comprehensive treatment should be ensured.

Compulsive sexual behavior disorder in an inpatient sample with substance use disorder.

Several studies indicate that compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) shares core elements with substance use disorder (SUD). These findings support the assumption of common mechanisms in addiction, which may lead to a higher tendency in patients with SUD to have comorbid CSBD. Nevertheless, this relationship between CSBD and SUD is poorly understood to date. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of CSBD and its subtype pornography use disorder (PUD) between a SUD group and a matched control group. Herein, we aimed to test whether patients with SUD are more likely to have a comorbid CSBD/PUD. We further hypothesized that a higher CSBD/PUD prevalence in patients with SUD is accompanied by more pronounced CSBD- and PUD-related personal characteristics. We assessed CSBD, PUD, and related personal characteristics in an inpatient SUD sample (N = 92) and a healthy control sample matched by age, gender, and educational level. Primary outcomes were the diagnoses of CSBD/PUD as assessed by questionnaires. CSBD/PUD-related personal characteristics were the early onset of problematic pornography consumption, relationship status as a single person, a high sexual motivation, a high level of time spent watching pornography, and a high degree of problematic pornography consumption (Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale, short version). There was no significant difference between groups regarding CSBD prevalence (SUD sample, 3.3%; control sample, 7.6%) and PUD prevalence (SUD sample, 2.2%; control sample, 6.5%). We found relationship status as a single person and the sexual motivation dimension of importance of sex to be the only CSBD-related personal characteristics that were more pronounced in the SUD sample than the matched control group. Results indicate no higher tendency for patients with SUD to develop comorbid CSBD/PUD, yet important vulnerabilities (eg, emotional dysregulation) should be considered when treating addictive disorder to prevent possible symptom displacement. A strength of the study is that we compared a sample of patients with SUD with a matched control sample and used an instrument based on ICD-11 criteria for CSBD. Possible limitations are significant differences between the groups because of the restrictions in an inpatient clinic that may have influenced responses (eg, roommates) and that the control group was not screened for SUD. Therefore, the results should be interpreted with some caution. We found no evidence of an overcomorbidity of SUD and CSBD/PUD. However, a higher rate of vulnerability factors for CSBD/PUD in the SUD sample might suggest some similarities between SUD and CSBD/PUD.

Substance use and substance use disorders in relation to COVID-19: qualitative experiences of people who use drugs in Jordan

ABSTRACT Background Monitoring substance use and Substance Use Disorders (SUD) during global pandemics is essential, as individuals who engage in such activities may be at greater risk for infections as well as economic and social complications. This study aimed to describe the impact of COVID-19 on substance use and SUD, any changes that occurred in patterns of use, and services provided, the main challenges faced and if and how they had been overcome. Methods A qualitative study consisting of face-to-face semi-structured interviews with a sample of SUD patients from 3 main addiction treatment centers in Jordan. Recruitment stopped once data saturation was reached. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo-R1 software, and thematic analysis was undertaken. Results A total of 17 individuals were interviewed (male, aged 19–52 years). Five key themes emerged from a narrative analysis: Impact of COVID-19 on the availability of substances, the pattern of use, social life and its relation to SUD, impact on tobacco smoking, and finally on the user’s health, awareness and hygienic measures. Conclusions This study provided in-depth information to inform, support, and customize the design of interventions to mitigate the negative effects of substance use and SUD-related outcomes in a rapidly changing pandemic.

Gradual improvement in functioning and mental distress during long-term outpatient SUD treatment – A prospective pre-post study

BackgroundGlobally, outpatient programs for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment have gained prominence. To assess the broader clinical implications of this trend we investigated shifts in functioning experienced by outpatients undergoing treatment. MethodsWe describe the clinical characteristics of a cohort of 93 SUD patients in a Norwegian outpatient treatment clinic. Using paired-samples t-tests, we examined changes in perceived functioning, mental distress, and other clinically relevant outcome variables in a 5-month time interval during the treatment course. ResultsWe obtained follow-up data for 67 (72%) of the included patients, with no significant difference in patient-related factors between those who completed the treatment course and those who were not assessed at follow-up. Perceived functioning increased significantly from study inclusion (Time 0) (mean 19.8, standard deviation ± 8.8) to its conclusion (Time 1) (24.3, ±9.3; t (66) = 4.5, (95% CI: 2.5–6.5, p < 0.001). We also identified significant improvement in most other measured variables, including mental distress, self-reported sleep quality, restlessness, and obsessive thinking. Substance use–related variables showed a modest, non-significant improvement at T1. ConclusionDuring a 5-month course of outpatient treatment, patients’ subjective experience of functioning improved significantly. Those with the lowest functioning levels at T0 improved the most. Structured monitoring may be a valuable clinical tool for personalizing intervention, enhancing treatment outcomes, and supporting the clinical decision-making process.

Evaluation of the multimodal DELTA therapy for adolescents with substance use disorders: an exploratory pilot trial.

In order to address the lack of manualized treatment programs for adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs), we developed a manualized group intervention (DELTA). DELTA focusses on substance use reduction and abstinence as well as alleviation of SUD symptoms via additional modules for co-occurring disorders. The goal of this exploratory trial was to assess if DELTA can be conducted in adolescent SUD patients and if participation is related to reductions in substance use, SUD-related problems, and further psychopathologies. We recruited adolescents at a psychiatric outpatient unit, which were then allocated to either DELTA intervention group (N = 85) or to a waiting-list control group (WL, N = 61) based on parental decision to start a therapy or not. Self-report measures were used as primary outcomes (substance use via interview, use-related problems via DUDIT-Drug Use Disorder Identification Test) and secondary outcomes (psychopathologies via YSR-Youth Self Report). T-tests and Pearson correlations were used to analyze between-group differences across time. On average, participants attended M = 7.7 (SD = 5.1) of the 16 sessions. Substance use and use-related problems regarding all substances but nicotine was decreased after the intervention, with small to medium not significant effects in favor of DELTA. Self-reported psychopathologies were also reduced at follow-up, with non-significant advantages for DELTA. DELTA showed small effects on SUD-related and depression-related variables. However, the interpretation is limited by the small sample size. Nonetheless, the DELTA intervention is viable in SUD outpatient treatment and will be further evaluated.Clinical trial registration: The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov under NCT03444974. Registered February, 26th 2018 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03444974).

Psychometric Evaluation of an Adapted Short-Form Spirituality Scale in a Sample of Predominantly White Adults in an Inpatient Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program.

Spirituality is an important aspect of treatment and recovery for substance use disorders (SUDs), but ambiguities in measurement can make it difficult to incorporate as part of routine care. We evaluated the psychometric properties of an adapted short-form version of the Spirituality Scale (the Spirituality Scale-Short-Form; SS-SF) for use in SUD treatment settings. Participants were adult patients (N = 1,388; Mage = 41.23 years, SDage = 11.55; 68% male; 86% White) who entered a large, clinically mixed inpatient SUD treatment program. Factor analysis supported the two-dimensional structure, with factors representing Self-Discovery and Transcendent Connection. Tests of measurement invariance demonstrated that the scale was invariant across age and gender subgroups. The SS-SF exhibited convergent and concurrent validity via associations with participation in spiritual activities, hopefulness, life satisfaction, 12-step participation, and depressive symptoms. Finally, scores on the SS-SF were significantly higher at discharge compared to admission, demonstrating short-term sensitivity to change. These findings support use of the SS-SF as a concise, psychometrically sound measure of spirituality in the context of substance use treatment.

Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test validity in bipolar and psychotic disorders.

Patients with multi-episode bipolar and psychotic disorders have a high prevalence of substance use disorders, with negative consequences. A brief, easily administered screening test such as the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) is needed to identify those at risk in order to intervene appropriately. However, the ASSIST has not yet been validated in this population. This article aims to determine the validity and reliability of the ASSIST in detecting substance use disorders in patients with multi-episode bipolar and psychotic disorders. Western Cape Province, South Africa. The Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) was used as the gold standard for detecting substance abuse and dependence. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine the internal consistency of the ASSIST, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate its screening properties. Optimal cut off scores were calculated to maximise sensitivity and specificity. A total substance involvement lifetime score of ≥13 was found to have optimal sensitivity and specificity of just over 74%. The optimal cutoff score for alcohol was ≥4 and for cannabis, methamphetamine, and 'other drugs' was ≥3. The area under the curve was 0.7 or above for both the total and specific substance involvement scores. The ASSIST is a psychometrically sound screening test for substance use disorders in patients with multi-episode bipolar and psychotic disorders. This is the first study to validate the ASSIST in this population.

Activity space during treatment with medication for opioid use disorder: Relationships with personality, mood, and drug use

IntroductionActivity space in people with substance use disorders (SUDs) has been assessed for theoretical reasons and for detection/prevention of relapse. In this observational study, we relate passively obtained activity space measures to mental states and behaviors relevant to the success of treatment for opioid use disorder. Our long-term goal is to use such data to assess risk in real time and to recognize when SUD patients might benefit from a just-in-time intervention. MethodsWe used GPS data from 238 urban residents in the first 16 weeks of stabilization on medication for opioid use disorder to test preregistered hypotheses about activity space (distance traveled, number of locations, time spent moving, and psychosocial-hazard levels of neighborhoods where participants spent time) in relation to certain static variables (personality, mood propensities) and time-varying treatment-relevant behaviors such as craving and use of opioids and cocaine. ResultsThe most consistent findings were that 1) mobility decreased over the course of the study; 2) neuroticism was associated with overall lower mobility; 3) trait-like positive mood (averaged from momentary ratings) was associated with higher mobility; 4) participants who used cocaine more frequently had lower mobility; 5) early in treatment, participants spent less time moving (i.e., were more sedentary) on days when they were craving. Some of these findings were in the expected direction (i.e., the ones involving neuroticism and positive mood), and some were opposite to the expected direction (i.e., we expected cocaine use to be associated with higher mobility); others (e.g., changes in mobility over time or in relation to craving) involved nondirectional hypotheses. ConclusionsReal-time information that patients actively provide is valuable for assessing their current state, but providing this information can be burdensome. The current results indicate that certain static or passively obtained data (personality variables and GPS-derived mobility information) are relevant to time-varying, treatment-relevant mental states and drug-related behavior, and therefore might be useful when incorporated into algorithms for detecting need for intervention in real time. Further research should assess how population-specific these relationships are, and how these passive measures can best be combined with low temporal-density, actively-provided data to obtain valid, reliable assessments with minimal burden.

Abstract 15466: Social Determinants of Health Vulnerabilities Among Patients With Substance Use Disorder and Infective Endocarditis

Introduction: Data indicate that the incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) is rising among patients with substance use disorder (SUD) and is linked with increased mortality. However, the social determinants of health (SDOH) vulnerabilities associated with IE in this population has not been well characterized. Aims: To examine the SDOH associated with IE among patients with SUD. Methods: Using our electronic medical records, we identified patients with concurrent diagnosis of IE and SUD from 2017 until May 2023. Socio-demographics and SDOH including unstable housing (identified using diagnosis codes, residential address test, and natural language processing of clinical notes documenting homelessness and shelter referrals) were identified. A multivariable regression model was conducted to identity independent risk factors associated with IE among patients with SUD. Results: Among 26,918 patients admitted with an SUD encounter, 1,422 (5.3%) had an IE encounter. Patients with IE were younger (37 vs 43 years, P&lt;0.001), mostly white (96% vs 87.7%, P&lt;0.001), Medicaid enrollees (84.2% vs 58.6%, P&lt;0.001), and had less than high school education (10.6% vs 8.1%, P=0.005). They were more likely to reside in rural areas (58.1% vs 44.8%) and have unstable housing (28.6% vs 16.3%). Patients with IE had higher prevalence of smoking (83.5% vs 67.3%) as well as cardiac, dental, mental and other health conditions. Certain socio-demographics and SDOH were independently associated with IE on multivariable regression (Figure). Conclusions: Patients with SUD and IE have distinct socio-demographics and SDOH characteristics. Incorporating these factors into future risk prediction tools could better help identifying SUD patients who are at risk to implement targeted techniques which have been proven to lower the risk of infection.