engleski

Psychoactive substance abuse among forensic patients: Challenges and possible solutions?

Psychoactive substance abuse presents a risk factor for treatment of forensic patients, while alcohol and drugs produce psychoactive effects that might lead to various problem behaviors, may interact with prescribed pharmacotherapy in an unexpected ways, interfere psychosocial interventions, and complicate recovery. The aim of this paper is to present some findings on psychoactive substance abuse among inpatient forensic patients at the University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče. Research was based on the documentation review: medical information system (medical records, laboratory analyses of the urine tests), Registry of forensic patients, judicial and social documentation. Data were collected in the period January 1 – August 31, 2018 for patients that were in forensic inpatient treatment on the day August 31, 2018. Documented history of substance abuse and/or diagnose of substance- related disorders/dependence were inclusion criteria. Results showed that among 73 patients, 29 males fulfilled inclusion criteria. Based on the substance type, sample was categorized into three groups: 1st: participants with alcohol- related problems (n=7) ; 2nd: participants with drug-related problems (n=10) ; 3rd participants with alcohol- and drug – related problems (n=12). In the reporting period, 1 participant from the first group consumed alcohol twice (beer, spirits). Among the second group, half of them (5) consumed drugs on multiple occasions: amphetamines / methamphetamines, cocaine, and cannabis. Among the third group, 4 participants consumed alcohol (beer) ; 2 consumed alcohol and drugs (beer ; amphetamines/metamphetamines), and 3 consumed drugs, mostly amphetamines/metamphetamines and cannabis. Substances were consumed during therapeutic leave or in hospital setting. It can be concluded that psychoactive substance (polydrug) abuse among forensic patients is not a rarity. As a response to this challenge, individual and environmental intervention strategies will be discussed.

Substance abuse, forensic patients, challenges, solutions

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