Recent studies indicated that psychiatric inpatients with severe mental illness (SMI) are at a greater risk of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19. However, there is still little data about the impact of comorbid COVID-19 infection on the course and outcome of acute exacerbations in this population. We conducted a prospective historically matched case control study. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of acute psychiatric inpatients with SMI and comorbid COVID-19 (n = 21) were compared with those of historically-matched non-COVID-19 controls with SMI (n = 42). The outcomes for acute inpatients with SMI and COVID-19 were also investigated. The new-onset SMI rate was relatively higher (23.8%) in the COVID-19 group, which has characteristics similar to those of the non-COVID-19 group except for working status (p < 0.05). The COVID-19 group had a high rate of relapse (47.6%) within 6 months of discharge. Our study suggests that patients with SMI who contracted SARS-CoV-2 may have a higher rate of new-onset mental disorder. Considering the high rate of relapse during the pandemic, chronically ill patients with SMI and COVID-19 should be closely monitored after discharge.

Among behavioral addictions gambling disorder, sex, digital game, exercise, food, shopping and work addictions are similar to substance addictions at many points, including disruption in functionality, tolerance and withdrawal, comorbid diseases, genetic background and neuronal mechanisms. While neurobiological studies of behavioral addictions are very recent, research on biochemical, radiologic, genetic and treatment related features of behavioral addictions have revealed strong neurobiological associations with alcohol and substance addictions. Most of the studies in the literature focused on gambling addiction and internet addiction, but it is shown that beside their differences, there is also similar neurobiological and structural alterations exist in other behavioral addictions. It is important to recognize and understand behavioral addictions with their genetic and neurobiological aspects, to increase awareness of these disorders, to handle the process better and to develop prevention and treatment strategies. In this article, we reviewed data on the neurobiological and genetic manifestations and associated neurobiological pathways of behavioral addictions that are beginning to gain more attention from clinicians and researchers.

Objective: The objectives of this study are, first, to explore the prevalence of lifetime violent and criminal behaviors among alcohol, opioid, and synthetic cannabinoid (SC) users in the treatment program; second, to examine and compare sociodemographic characteristics, childhood traumatic experiences, and impulsivity of these groups. Patients and method: This cross-sectional cohort study includes 110 male patients who received inpatient treatment in AMATEM (Alcohol and Substance Addiction Treatment Center) Clinic of Erenköy Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry and Neurology between October 2014 and May 2015, diagnosed with alcohol, opioid, SC use disorder. The patients who were included in the study were given Data Collection Form, APIsoft (Addiction Profile Index), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 15.0 statistic software package. Results: We found that resorting to verbal and physical violence was more frequent in SC group in comparison with alcohol and opiate groups (for verbal violence 88.5%, 60%, 70%; P = 0.02; for physical violence (82%, 40%, 60%; P = 0.001). Criminal involvement was also higher for SC users than alcohol and opioid users (94%, 85%, 68.5%; P = 0.01). The average CTQ-28 scores for SC group (P = 0.017) were high whereas there was no difference in the average BIS-11 scores (P = 0.073) between groups. There was no difference between the groups in terms of severity of addiction (P = 0.2). Our study ascertained that the patients exhibited mild and moderate addiction. Conclusion: Although creating a treatment for addiction, we think that a holistic treatment that will take into consideration the used substance and the individual’s childhood traumatic events along with his/her impulsive and aggressive behaviors could make a significant contribution to the prevention of the patient’s possible violent and criminal behaviors in the future.

Objectives: Methamphetamine (MA) use is a growing public health issue in Türkiye, leading to an increasing number of psychiatric emergencies. There is limited information on the clinical features and outcomes of MA users in non-Western countries.Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 423 patients with confirmed MA use among 12,501 psychiatric emergency department (PED) admissions at a tertiary mental health center in Istanbul, Türkiye, between January and June 2022. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, comorbidities, and follow-up outcomes were collected from electronic medical records.Results: Most patients were young adult males (84.2%). Psychotic symptoms (65.5%), agitation (65.7%), and insomnia (60.8%) were common. Depression (OR = 18.0, 95% CI: 3.7–88.1) and self-harm (OR = 26.5, 95% CI: 7.1–98.9) were the strongest predictors of suicide attempts. Psychotic symptoms (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.5–4.7), agitation (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3–3.7), and self-harm (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.9–6.6) were linked to aggression. Prior psychiatric hospitalization (OR = 7.4, 95% CI: 4.4–12.3) and comorbid psychiatric disorders (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3–3.6) predicted frequent PED visits. Within one year, 33.3% of patients were hospitalized.Conclusions: MA users admitted to psychiatric emergency services in Türkiye often present with severe symptoms, high rates of comorbidity, and polysubstance use. Recognizing key risk factors may help guide early intervention and integrated care for this vulnerable group. These findings add new knowledge from a non-Western context and may inform clinical practice and policy in similar settings worldwide.

Amaç: Bu araştırma, alkol ve madde kullanım bozukluğu olan ebeveynlerin çocuklarında karşılaşılan davranış sorunlarını tespit etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Yöntem: AMATEM Kliniğine yatırılan 6-18 yaş arasında çocuğu olan 60 erkek hasta (ort. yaş 39±7,5 years) araştırmaya dâhil edilmiştir. Katılımcı ebeveynlere, Conners Anababa Derecelendirme Ölçeği, Çocuk ve Ergenlerde Yıkıcı Davranım Bozuklukları için DSM-IV’e Dayalı Tarama ve Değerlendirme Ölçeği – Turgay ve DSM-III-R Kişilik Bozuklukları için Yapılandırılmış Klinik Görüşme -SCID-II uygulanmıştır. Bulgular: Conners’ Anababa Derecelendirme Ölçeği’ne göre alkol ve madde kullanım bozukluğu olan ebeveynlerin çocuklarında ataklık/hiperaktivite %51,7, öğrenme sorunu %45, kaygı %41,7, psikosomatik sorunlar %20 ve davranım sorunu %15 oranında mevcuttur. Kişilik bozukluğu olan 28 ebeveynin (%47,5) büyük çoğunluğunun B kümesi (%85,7) kişilik bozukluklarına sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ataklık/hiperaktivite (%87,5) oranı, cezaevinde yatma öyküsü olan katılımcıların çocuklarında, öğrenme (%69,2) ve kaygı sorunu (%61,9) ise ailede madde öyküsü olan ebeveynlerin çocuklarında daha yüksektir. Sonuç: Alkol ve madde bağımlısı ebeveynlerin çocuklarında ataklık/hiperaktivite, öğrenme sorunu ve kaygı en sık karşılaşılan sorunlar olarak belirlenmiştir.

Background and Aim: Previous research has recognized the dual role of opioids [agonists at μ-opioid receptors (MOP-r agonists)] in modulating immunity and neuroinflammation in individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). This cross-sectional study investigates the interplay between chronic use of MOP-r agonists and inflammatory parameters in individuals with OUD, with the goal of providing insights into the relationship between immunological responses and OUD. Materials and Methods: A cohort of 129 patients with OUD seeking treatment at an addiction detoxification center underwent detailed clinical assessments. Blood samples were collected for analyses of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and C-reactive protein levels, and a complete blood count. Participants were categorized into inflammation and noninflammation groups based on C-reactive protein levels. Hematological and inflammation indices, along with pain severity, were compared between these groups. Results: Significant differences were observed between the inflammation and noninflammation groups on variables such as duration of MOP-r agonist intake, daily buprenorphine/naloxone dose, consumption route, severity of withdrawal symptoms, and level of self-reported pain. The inflammation group exhibited higher neutrophil counts and an increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. The binary logistic regression models revealed that self-reported pain level, daily buprenorphine/naloxone dosage, Beck Depression Inventory scores, and age were significant predictors of inflammation. Conclusions: This study contributes to our understanding of OUD as a chronic inflammatory condition, shedding light on the intricate relationships between MOP-r agonist addiction, inflammatory responses, and withdrawal-related parameters. The findings offer valuable perspectives on effective management, emphasizing the need for further research in diverse populations to enhance understanding of this complex condition.