Penput Kongpanichtrakul. Reasons for substance use among schizophrenic patients at Galya Rajanagarindra Institute . Master's Degree(Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2005.
Reasons for substance use among schizophrenic patients at Galya Rajanagarindra Institute
Abstract:
This study was a descriptive research aiming to investigate the reasons for
substance use among schizophrenic patients. The sample composed of 90
schizophrenic patients with non-severe psychotic symptoms who had a history of
using alcohol, marijuana, and amphetamines and received health care services from
Galyarajanagarindra Institute . Data were collected using interview from June to
August, 2004, and were analyzed with frequency, percentage, and mean.
The findings showed that the sample began using drugs at the mean age of
17 years (mean=17.67). The psychological and sociocultural reasons ranked in
comparative percentages. Leading reasons in the psychological domain comprised of
a lack of perceived risk of harmfulness from drug use, cravings, curiosity, positive
mood enhancement, and relief of negative feelings. The use of substances to relieve
psychotic symptoms was reported at a lower percentage than other reasons. The
sociocultural reasons were availability of the drug and peer pressure. The sample
reported the use of addictive substances for physical reason at lower percentages than
reasons in other domains, with the exception of amphetamine use, which is one of the
leading reasons behind being alert and active.
The results suggest that mental health care providers should provide
information about the effects of substance use, especially the effects on severity of
symptoms, to schizophrenic patients and their families in order to prevent drug use.
Moreover, in addition to the treatment of psychotic symptoms, schizophrenic patients
should also receive therapy for drug dependence, for examples, programs to motivate
the reduction or cessation of drug use, learning how to avoid drug use, and coping
skills or stress management skills.