DRUG-USE AND PSYCHIATRIC-HOSPITALIZATION AMONG HOMELESS PATIENTS

This is the first study comparing community-based and hospitalized hom eless dually diagnosed men to assess correlates of psychiatric hospita lization. A retrospective review was carried out comparing housing, su bstance abuse, and psychiatric histories of three cohorts: 53 previous ly homeless men interviewed while hospitalized for dual psychiatric an d addictive disorders, 87 homeless men previously hospitalized, and 50 0 homeless men never hospitalized. Individuals reporting current or pa st psychiatric hospitalization more often reported a history of illici t drug use. The findings suggest that history of illicit drug use by h omeless men is associated with a higher risk of psychiatric hospitaliz ation.