Associations between psychotic symptoms and substance use in young offenders.

One in eight young offenders reported symptoms consistent with psychosis. Symptomatology was strongly associated with heavy use of a range of illicit drugs. Given the frequency of these symptoms and the potential for them to be related to or exacerbated by drug use, this study highlights the importance of co-ordinated alcohol and other drugs and mental health treatment for young offenders, both due to co-occurrence and given the possibility that treating SUDs may impact on mental health symptoms.