Cannabis and Methamphetamine Use Patterns in a Psychiatric Inpatient Setting in Iran

Abstract

Background: Substance use is associated with psychiatric disorders, contributing to negative outcomes and exacerbating existing conditions. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and patterns of illicit drug use, focusing on cannabis and methamphetamine, in a psychiatric inpatient setting in Iran. Methods: Three hundred adult psychiatric inpatients were included in the study, and data on demographics, substance use patterns, and clinical characteristics were collected. The World Health Organization’s alcohol, smoking, and substance involvement screening test (WHO-ASSIST) was used to screen for substance-related patterns and risks among patients who used methamphetamine or cannabis in the past three months. Results: Among the participants (median age: 35.0 years, 65.3% male), recent substance use was reported by 38.0%, with methamphetamine and cannabis reported by 15.0% and 11.7%, respectively. These were less prevalent compared to alcohol and opioid substances, which were reported by 19.3% and 19%, respectively. Recent cannabis or methamphetamine use was associated with aggression and polysubstance use disorders. Conclusions: The findings revealed that recent cannabis and methamphetamine use were associated with aggression and polysubstance use disorders among psychiatric inpatients. Opioids were the most prevalent illicit drugs consumed.