Drug abusers in Danish mental hospitals.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate trends in drug abuse among psychiatric inpatients in Denmark. The investigation was based on data collected from The Danish Psychiatric Case Register. The findings show that drug abusers occupy an increasing number of beds in Danish psychiatric hospitals and departments. Moreover, an increase in the number of patients with schizophrenic or borderline diagnoses combined with drug abuse was found. Furthermore, the drug abuse found among psychiatric patients now is frequently more serious than previously. Finally, an increased number of young males admitted with drug abuse was discovered. Young males are also more frequently diagnosed as illegal, or polydrug abusers, as opposed to older males and females.