Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse; Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?
Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse; Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?
Terry V. Hites
Prof. Bramlage
Dual Diagnosis / Co-Occurring Disorders
December 6, 2008
Schizophrenia and substance abuse; which came first, the chicken or the egg? This is a greatly debated topic within families of schizophrenics that abuse alcohol. In this paper I hope to explore the prevalence of substance use with those that suffer from schizophrenia, the age of onset and the age of first use, treatment issues, recovery issues, and finally, the issues regarding the high rate of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and completions within this specific population of individuals. “The 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health in the United States found that over 23% of adults suffering from serious mental illness abused alcohol or other drugs. In the population without a serious mental illness only 8.2% abused alcohol or other drugs. Among adults who abused alcohol or other drugs, 20.4% had a serious mental illness” (Cherry, 2007, p. 37). “Over 75% of people with a co-occurring disorder who were surveyed during treatment reported a history of childhood physical abuse” (p. 38). Interestingly enough, surveys have shown that individuals are readily willing to address their substance abuse but are not so willing to acknowledge their co-occurring mental illness (p. 49-50). “The lifetime prevalence of substance use disorders (SUD) in schizophrenia is close to 50%. Substance abuse in schizophrenia is associated with numerous negative consequences, including psychotic relapses criminality, homelessness, unemployment, treatment non-compliance, and health problems” (Potvin, 2007, p. 792). In this population, “substance abuse is highly prevalent” (p. 792) not just used by a few individuals; but people will abuse substances to cope with the negative or positive symptoms of their illness. When looking at the symptoms that they experience, Potvin goes on to say, “addicted
Terry V. Hites
Prof. Bramlage
Dual Diagnosis / Co-Occurring Disorders
December 6, 2008
Schizophrenia and substance abuse; which came first, the chicken or the egg? This is a greatly debated topic within families of schizophrenics that abuse alcohol. In this paper I hope to explore the prevalence of substance use with those that suffer from schizophrenia, the age of onset and the age of first use, treatment issues, recovery issues, and finally, the issues regarding the high rate of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and completions within this specific population of individuals. “The 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health in the United States found that over 23% of adults suffering from serious mental illness abused alcohol or other drugs. In the population without a serious mental illness only 8.2% abused alcohol or other drugs. Among adults who abused alcohol or other drugs, 20.4% had a serious mental illness” (Cherry, 2007, p. 37). “Over 75% of people with a co-occurring disorder who were surveyed during treatment reported a history of childhood physical abuse” (p. 38). Interestingly enough, surveys have shown that individuals are readily willing to address their substance abuse but are not so willing to acknowledge their co-occurring mental illness (p. 49-50). “The lifetime prevalence of substance use disorders (SUD) in schizophrenia is close to 50%. Substance abuse in schizophrenia is associated with numerous negative consequences, including psychotic relapses criminality, homelessness, unemployment, treatment non-compliance, and health problems” (Potvin, 2007, p. 792). In this population, “substance abuse is highly prevalent” (p. 792) not just used by a few individuals; but people will abuse substances to cope with the negative or positive symptoms of their illness. When looking at the symptoms that they experience, Potvin goes on to say, “addicted
References: Cherry, A. L., Dillon, M. E., Hellman, C. M., & Barney, L. D. (2007). The AC-COD Screen: Rapid Detection of People with the Co-Occurring Disorders of Substance Abuse, Mental Illness, Domestic Violence, and Trauma. Journal of Dual Diagnosis*, [No Volume/Issue], 35-53. Academic Search Complete. Ebsco Host. OSU/Lima Campus Lib., Lima, OH. 10 October 2008 . Hsiao, R., & McClellan, J. (2007). Substance Abuse in Early Onset Psychotic Disorders. Journal of Dual Diagnosis*, [No Volume/Issue], 87-99. Academic Search Complete. Ebsco Host. OSU/Lima Campus Lib., Lima, OH. 10 October 2008 . Keith, S. (2007). Dual Diagnosis of Substance Abuse and Schizophrenia: Improving Compliance with Pharmacotherapy. Clinical Schizophrenia & Related Psychoses, 1(3), 259-269. Academic Search Complete. Ebsco Host. OSU/Lima Campus Lib., Lima, OH. 10 October 2008 . Kuppin. (2008). Public Conceptions of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Abuse, Their Causes and Treatments: Findings from the 1996 General Social Survey. American Journal of Public Health, 96(10), S120. Academic Search Complete. Ebsco Host. OSU/Lima Campus Lib., Lima, OH. 10 October 2008 . Potvin. (2007). Meta-analysis of depressive symptoms in dual-diagnosis schizophrenia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 41(10), 792-799. Academic Search Complete. Ebsco Host. OSU/Lima Campus Lib., Lima, OH. 10 October 2008 .