INTERPRETATION Continued cannabis use after onset of psychosis predicts adverse outcome , including higher relapse rates , longer hospital admissions , and more severe positive symptoms than for individuals who discontinue cannabis use and those who are non-users .
BACKGROUND Although the link between cannabis use and development of psychosis is well established , less is known about the effect of continued versus discontinued cannabis use after the onset of psychosis .
We aim ed to summarise available evidence focusing on the relationship between continued and discontinued cannabis use after onset of psychosis and its relapse .
Substance misuse in first-episode psychosis: 15-month prospective follow-up study.
BACKGROUND Well- design ed prospect i ve studies of substance misuse in first-episode psychosis can improve our underst and ing of the risks associated with comorbid substance misuse and psychosis . AIMS To examine the potential effects of substance misuse on in-patient admission and remission and relapse of positive symptoms in first-episode psychosis . METHOD The study was a prospect i ve 15-month follow-up investigation of 103 patients with first-episode psychosis recruited from three mental health services . RESULTS Substance misuse was independently associated with increased risk of in-patient admission , relapse of positive symptoms and shorter time to relapse of positive symptoms after controlling for potential confounding factors . Substance misuse was not associated with remission or time to remission of positive symptoms . Heavy substance misuse was associated with increased risk of in-patient admission , relapse and shorter time to relapse . CONCLUSIONS Substance misuse is an independent risk factor for a problematic recovery from first-episode psychosis
INTERPRETATION Continued cannabis use after onset of psychosis predicts adverse outcome , including higher relapse rates , longer hospital admissions , and more severe positive symptoms than for individuals who discontinue cannabis use and those who are non-users .
BACKGROUND Although the link between cannabis use and development of psychosis is well established , less is known about the effect of continued versus discontinued cannabis use after the onset of psychosis .
We aim ed to summarise available evidence focusing on the relationship between continued and discontinued cannabis use after onset of psychosis and its relapse .