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Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Jeanette Smith  and
Stephen Hucker
Jeanette Smith*
Affiliation:
Fromeside Clinic, Bristol
Stephen Hucker
Affiliation:
Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
*
Dr J. Smith, Fromeside Clinic, Blackberry Hill Hospital, Stapleton, Bristol BS16 1ED
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Extract

Background

Recent research from North America has demonstrated higher than expected rates of drug and alcohol abuse among the seriously mentally ill. Schizophrenics appear to be particularly susceptible to the negative effects of substance abuse. These include psychiatric and social complications, with antisocial behaviour, particularly violence emerging as one of the most worrying features. This review examines the strength of the association and explores the possible explanations for the apparent link between schizophrenia, substance abuse and violence.

Method

The literature was searched using Medline, supplemented with a manual literature search.

Results

Very few articles specifically approached the problem of violence among substance abusing schizophrenics, but over 80 papers were identified which were helpful in exploring the link between dangerous behaviour and substance abuse by schizophrenics.

Conclusions

While there is circumstantial evidence to support the hypothesis that schizophrenics who abuse drugs or alcohol are at an increased risk of behaving violently, longitudinal studies are required to facilitate a better understanding of the mediating mechanisms.

Type
Review Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 165 , Issue 1 , July 1994 , pp. 13 - 21
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1994 

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