Self Reports of the Interaction between Substance abuse and Schizophrenia

Abstract

Fifty-three psychiatric hospital inpatients with a dual diagnosis of substance abuse and schizophrenia were given the Brief Symptom Inventory and the Schizophrenia/Substance Abuse Interview Schedule. Mean age was 29; 49 were men. Only 11% were employed. Forty percent abused mainly alcohol, 40% cannabis and 8% amphetamines; 20% abused more than one substance. Mean onset age of drug abuse was 16 years; schizophrenia was diagnosed a mean of 5 years later, and subjects had been admitted to hospital an average of 7 times since then. Most believed that drug abuse initiated or exacerbated their schizophrenia; 80% took drugs primarily to relieve dysphoria and anxiety. Amphetamines improved subjective well-being significantly more than alcohol, but choice of drugs was determined mainly by price and availability. Only cannabis increased positive symptoms of schizophrenia and only amphetamines reduced negative ones. Effectively treating this population requires an integration of psychiatric and drug treatment services, ideally in a community context.

Comorbidity of a Serious Mental Illness with an Addiction to Psychoactive Substances

“…The amphetamines caused their subjective improvement better than alcohol, however the choice of the substance depended mainly on what they could afford. Only cannabis exacerbated the positive symptoms and only amphetamines reduced negative symptoms (Baigent et al, 1995). In other studies it was proven that different substances have influence on different problems related to the disease.…”

Medicinal Use of Cannabis: History and Current Status

“…This precipitated withdrawal is analogous to the reaction provoked by naloxone in a dependent opiate user. Cannabis use has also been reported to precipitate clinical relapse in compensated schizophrenics, producing a picture that differs from that of spontaneous relapse in which cannabis use may be merely a symptom (43,(81)(82)(83). Finally, the offspring of women who smoke cannabis during pregnancy have been reported to show subtle but apparently permanent cognitive and personality changes (impulsiveness, poor memory, decreased verbal fluency and verbal learning) when they reach school age (84,85).…”

Comparison of Sociodemographic and Clinical Variables in Schizophrenics With and Without Substance Abuse

“…40,41,42 Employment: Only 11% of substance abusers group were employed. 30 Premorbid Adjustment: Substance abusers have better premorbid adjustment prior to the onset of schizophrenia as described earlier. 21 Duration of Schizophrenia: Mean duration of schizophrenia in substance abusers was shorter than non-abusers in an older study.…”

“…29 They are taken as they counteract distressing negative symptoms or neuroleptic-induced akathisia. 30,31 Cocaine has been reported to reduce negative symptoms while cannabis increased positive symptoms of schizophrenia. 30,32 4.…”

“…30,31 Cocaine has been reported to reduce negative symptoms while cannabis increased positive symptoms of schizophrenia. 30,32 4. The Independence Model suggests that determinants of substance abuse in schizophrenia may not differ from those in general population.…”