The study was a part of a multicentre national study carried out during 2005-2006 within a research network of acute mental health services.
One of the main findings was that one third of the patients were abusing alcohol or drugs prior to admission.
The most frequent dual diagnosis (substance abuse and mental disease) among voluntarily admitted patients were a combination of alcohol abuse and mood disorder.
Among involuntarily admitted patients, a combination of poly drug use and schizophrenia was most frequent.
Patients diagnosed with a mental disorder and abuse of psychoactive stimulant substances had a significantly higher risk of involuntary hospitalization.
Acute psychiatric wards should consider the need of treating substance abuse in addition to the psychiatric disorder.