A cross-sectional study of substance use in patients with schizophrenia hospitalized for relapse at the Ar-Razi Psychiatric Hospital in Salé, CHU Ibn Sina Rabat, Morocco.

Introduction: substance use disorders are becoming increasingly common among schizophrenic patients and often raise problems in their care. This work aims to assess the rate and level of substance use in schizophrenic patients hospitalized for relapse and to identify factors associated with this comorbidity.

Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study of 115 patients with schizophrenia selected by convenience sampling in the Psychiatric Hospital of Salé. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data, evolutionary and prognostic criteria of the disease. Tobacco use was assessed with the fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND), cannabis use was assessed with the cannabis abuse screening test (CAST) and alcohol use was assessed with the alcohol use disorders test (AUDIT).

Results: the results showed that tobacco was the most consumed substance, followed by cannabis and alcohol. Certain factors such as gender (P<0.016) and family smoking history (P<0.045) were significantly associated with the scale (FTND). Other factors such as social life (P<0.05) and the educational level (P<0.004) showed a significant association with CAST. Only a history of suicide attempts was significantly associated with the scale (AUDIT).

Conclusion: the results confirm that the majority of schizophrenic subjects are psychoactive substance users and that a good number of them are dependent on substances. Early outpatient follow-up in specialized drug treatment centers could improve the health status of these patients.