General Hospital Psychiatry
Volume 30, Issue 1 , Pages 55-60, January 2008

Drugs of abuse among acute psychiatric and medical admissions: laboratory based identification of prevalence and drug influence

  • Jon Mordal, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Lovisenberg Deaconal Hospital, NO-0440 Oslo, Norway
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Psychiatric Department, Lovisenberg Deaconal Hospital, NO-0440 Oslo, Norway. Tel.: +47 23226000, fax: +47 23226063.
    • ,
  • Jørgen G. Bramness, M.D., Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Division of Forensic Toxicology and Drug Abuse, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NO-0403 Oslo, Norway
    • Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NO-0403 Oslo, Norway
    • ,
  • Bjørn Holm, M.D., Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Lovisenberg Deaconal Hospital, NO-0440 Oslo, Norway
    • ,
  • Jørg Mørland, M.D., Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Division of Forensic Toxicology and Drug Abuse, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NO-0403 Oslo, Norway
    • Institute of Pharmacology, University of Oslo, NO-0316, Norway

Received 8 August 2007; accepted 16 October 2007.

Abstract 

Objective

To use laboratory based analyses of blood and urine to determine the prevalence and influence of drugs of abuse among acute psychiatric and medical admissions.

Method

In a cross sectional study, urine and blood samples were collected from 100 psychiatric and 106 medical admissions and extensively analysed for legal drugs with abuse potential, alcohol and illegal drugs. Drug influence at the time of admission was estimated on the basis of blood drug concentrations.

Results

Legal drugs were found in 47% of the psychiatric and 42% of the medical admissions. Alcohol was detected in 8% of the psychiatric and 4% of medical admissions, and illegal drugs were detected in 36% of the psychiatric and 13% of the medical admissions. Drug influence was estimated in 26% of the psychiatric and 14% of the medical patients.

Conclusion

This study shows widespread use of substances among psychiatric and medical inpatients and that many are under the influence of drugs on admission.

Keywords: Substance abuse detection, Toxicology, Psychiatric hospitals, Inpatients

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PII: S0163-8343(07)00194-6

doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2007.10.006

General Hospital Psychiatry
Volume 30, Issue 1 , Pages 55-60, January 2008

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