PSYCHIATRIC REFERRALS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS - PREVALENCE AND GENDER DIFFERENCES

A psychoactive substance use disorder (ICD-10) was diagnosed in 28% of 1222 psychiatric referrals in six general hospitals in Finland, In th e age group 35 to 50 years, 53% of men and 29% of women had a substanc e use disorder, in the age group 35 to 50 years, sociodemographic char acteristics differentiated men diagnosed with substance use disorders from other male consultation patients, but women with substance use di sorders were similar to other female consultation patients. Urgency (i .e., consultation required within the same day) was accentuated in ref errals associated with substance use disorders. Of attempted suicides, 65% were related to substance use disorders, Use of sedatives or hypn otics had more frequently induced disorders in women with substance us e diagnosis compared to men with diagnosis (30% vs, 13%; p < 0.01). Fe male consultation patients with substance use disorders more often tha n respective male patients were current mental health outpatients. In conclusion, the proportion of substance use disorders among psychiatri c consultation patients was remarkably higher in the present study (28 %] compared with the average provided by the earlier literature (12%), and therefore, at least in Finland, psychiatric assessment of general hospital patients should always include assessment for the presence o f substance use disorders. If substance use is only looked for in pati ents who have social problems typical of advanced misuse, detecting fe male substance use might be impeded. Relation of attempted suicides fa substance use disorders was confirmed, so prevent misuse of prescribe d drugs detected particularly in female consultation patients, and to prevent attempted suicides, doctors' attention is called to prescripti ons of sedatives and hypnotics.