Prevalence of binge drinking and illicit substance use in patients hospitalized for psychiatric disorders

Introduction: Use of illicit substances and binge drinking are situations that causenegative effects on individuals and society. The association of psychiatric disorders todrug abuse or dependence has gained importance in recent years and the term “dualdiagnosis” has been proposed to refer this partnership and see it as one entity.Objective: To establish the prevalence of alcohol and illicit drugs use in patientshospitalized in psychiatric institutions.Methodology: Descriptive, transversal, retrospective study. Information was collectedfrom medical records of patients hospitalized from 2008 to 2009 in three psychiatricinstitutions of Cartagena and Turbaco, Colombia. The prevalence of binge drinking,substance abuse and combined use were estimated in all hospitalized patients.Results: 2526 patients were admitted in the three institutions, 1086 patients in2008 and 1440 in 2009. The prevalence of binge drinking and illicit substanceswas 19.5%, the prevalence of binge drinking was 2.3% and consumption of illicitsubstances was 18.6%. The sum is not accurate because it is very common tofind poly-drug use. There was no difference between the two years in any of thethree assessments. Marijuana was the most common illegal drug consumed.Conclusion: The observed prevalence of substance abuse and binge drinkingin psychiatric patients must be adequately addressed, to provide proper healthintervention.RESUMEN:Introducción: el consumo de sustancias ilícitas y la ingesta compulsiva de alcohol sonsituaciones que causan efectos negativos para el individuo y la sociedad. La asociaciónde trastornos psiquiátricos al abuso o dependencia de drogas, ha alcanzado importanciaen los últimos a os, hasta proponerse el término de diagnóstico dual, para referirse aesta asociación y verla como una entidad.Objetivo: establecer la prevalencia del consumo de alcohol y drogas ilícitas en pacienteshospitalizados en instituciones psiquiátricas.Metodología: estudio descriptivo, transversal, retrospectivo. Se recolectó informacióndesde las historias clínicas de pacientes hospitalizados en los a os 2008 y 2009 entres instituciones psiquiátricas de los municipios de Cartagena y Turbaco en Colombia.Se calculó la prevalencia porcentual de consumo compulsivo de alcohol, consumo desustancias ilícitas y de ambas con respecto a la totalidad de pacientes hospitalizados.Resultados: 2526 pacientes fueron ingresados en los dos a os en las tres instituciones,1086 pacientes en el 2008 y 1440 en el 2009. La prevalencia de consumo compulsivode alcohol y sustancias ilícitas fue de 19,5%, la prevalencia de cons