PSYCHIATRIC-SYMPTOMS IN MENTALLY-ILL CHEMICAL ABUSERS

The purpose of this study was to determine whether mentally ill chemical abusers (MICA patients) report greater distress than do psychiatric patients who do not abuse psychoactive substances. Thirty-two MICA patients and 31 non-substance-abusing patients completed the SCL-90-R. Group comparisons indicated that MICA patients reported greater levels of somatization, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsiveness, paranoia, and psychotic symptoms. MICA patients also reported greater overall distress than did psychiatric patients without substance abuse problems.