Improving Outcomes in Psychosis Associated With Substance Use Using Aripiprazole

Inclusion Criteria: * DSM-IV-defined diagnosis of psychosis NOS or substance-induced psychosis assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I DSM-IV Disorders (SCID-I/P) (First 1998) * onset of psychotic symptoms following onset of substance use * current DSM-IV-defined diagnosis of substance abuse or dependence assessed with the SCID-I/P * duration of the acute psychotic episode less than 4 weeks * aged 16 to 44 * competent and willing to sign informed consent * for women, a negative urine pregnancy test and agreement to use a medically accepted method of birth control and not to become pregnant during the study * at the entry of the maintenance phase, remission of psychotic symptoms defined as 1) simultaneous ratings of \<3 ("mild) on all of the following Brief Psy¬chiatric Rating Scale-Anchored version items (BPRS-A; Woerner et al. 1988): suspiciousness, unusual thought content, hallucinations, conceptual disorganization; and 2) a Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI; Guy 1976) Se-verity rating of 3 ("mild") or less. Exclusion Criteria: * DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, a psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition, shared psychotic disorder, or a major mood disorder (major depression or bipolar mania) with psychotic features * antipsychotic treatment for more than six months prior to enrollment * serious neurological or endocrine disorder or any medical condition or treatment known to affect the brain * medical condition that requires treatment with a medication that has psychotropic effects * significant risk of suicidal or homicidal ideation or behavior * cognitive or language limitations, or any other factor that would preclude subjects providing informed consent or participating in study procedures * history of treatment resistance to aripiprazole * medical contraindications to aripiprazole * hypersensitivity to aripiprazole or any component of the products.