Clinical Profile Of Patients with Substance Use Disorder Utilising Emergency Psychiatric Services In A Tertiary Care Centre

BACKGROUND: A psychiatric emergency is an acute disturbance of behaviour, thought or mood of a patient which if untreated may lead to harm, either to the individual or to others in the environment. Thus, the definition of a psychiatric emergency differs from other medical emergencies in that the danger of harm to the society is also taken into account. Recent trends shows that there is a increase in substance use in general population and people who attend psychiatric services provided. AIM OF THE STUDY: To asses the clinical profile and sociodemographic details of patients presenting to emergency psychiatric services with substance use disorder METHODOLOGY: Study site: Institute of Mental health, Madras Medical College, Chennai STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional study SAMPLE SIZE: 23 DURATION: July 2021 to August 2021 RESULTS: Majority of the study participants belongs to 31-40 years of age group and 10(43.5%) were doing unskilled work (43.5%). The common reason for consultation is hearing voices 30.4% followed by violent behaviour26.1% The most common diagnosis of study participants is alcohol withdrawal34.8% and 21.7% had perceptual abnormalities. CONCLUSION: People with substance use disorder seek treatment from emergency psychiatric services. Hence psychoeducation and referring to medical units if needed should be done. Analyzing the reason for consultation and pharmacological management and psychotherapies with follow up would reduce substance use in the patients.