Understanding factors influencing substance use in people with recent onset psychosis: A qualitative study

Fiona Lobbana, Christine Barrowclough, Sophie Jeffery, Sandra Bucci, Katherine Taylor, Sara Mallinson, Mike Fitzsimmons and Max Marshall

Social Science & Medicine, 2010, vol. 70, issue 8, 1141-1147

Abstract: This qualitative study identifies factors influencing the use of substances in young people with recent onset psychosis. A purposive sample of 19 people aged between 16 and 35 years from an Early Intervention Service in the English National Health Service (NHS) was interviewed using a semi-structured guide. All had experienced a psychotic episode and were within 3 years of first contact with the service. All were either currently misusing substances or had been doing so in the 6 months prior to first contact with the service. All participants were/had been regular cannabis users and for 13(68%) cannabis was the primary drug of use. Thematic analysis identified four key themes in participants accounts of factors influencing their substance abuse: influence of perceived drug norms on behaviour; attributions for initial and ongoing drug-taking behaviour; changes in life goals affecting drug use; beliefs about the links between mental health and drug use. These findings have clear implications for interventions at a number of levels to support young people using substances in early psychosis including public health messages, education and psychological therapies.

Keywords: Psychosis Substance use Recent onset Drug use; UK (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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