Impact of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use on treatment outcomes among patients experiencing first episode psychosis: Data from the national RAISE-ETP study

Abstract

Aim: The primary aim of this study was to examine the effect of recent tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use on treatment outcomes among participants experiencing first episode psychosis (FEP). Methods: Secondary data analyses were conducted on 404 participants enrolled in the Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode—Early Treatment Program (RAISE-ETP) study. RAISE-ETP investigated the effectiveness of a coordinated specialty care (CSC) intervention for FEP in community mental health agencies in the United States. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine whether recent tobacco smoking, alcohol, and cannabis use at baseline were associated with illness severity, number of antipsychotic pills missed, psychiatric symptoms and quality of life during the 24-month treatment period, after controlling for duration of untreated psychosis and treatment group. Results: At baseline, roughly 50% (n = 209) of participants reported recent tobacco, 28% (n = 113) alcohol and 24% (n = 95) cannabis use. Tobacco smokers had higher levels of illness severity (β =.24; P