Schizophrenia and Addiction

Understanding Schizophrenia and Substance Use

Schizophrenia is typically diagnosed by age 30, with many individuals experiencing their first episode by this time. The condition often manifests earlier in men than in women. However, in some cases, schizophrenia may not be diagnosed until after age 40, with women being more likely than men to receive a diagnosis later in life.

The symptoms of schizophrenia are generally categorized into three main types:

1. Psychotic Symptoms: These are often what people associate with schizophrenia. They include hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there), delusions (strongly held false beliefs), and difficulties with organized thinking and speech.

2. Negative Symptoms: These involve a reduction in normal functions, such as withdrawing from daily activities, speaking in a flat or monotone voice, and in some cases, catatonia, where an individual may stop moving altogether.

3. Cognitive Symptoms: These affect a person’s ability to think clearly, pay attention, and remember things.

Historically, doctors classified schizophrenia into subtypes, such as paranoid schizophrenia, based on the specific symptoms presented. There was also a category called undifferentiated schizophrenia for those with symptoms spanning multiple subtypes.

Substance use is commonly associated with schizophrenia, with some studies indicating that nearly half of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia also struggle with substance or alcohol use. The connection between these two conditions is not fully understood. Possible explanations include using substances to cope with schizophrenia symptoms or shared brain changes that increase susceptibility to both schizophrenia and substance use disorder.

In some instances, substance or alcohol use may even trigger the onset of schizophrenia symptoms. For example, the drug ketamine can induce schizophrenia-like symptoms in certain individuals, and alcohol can trigger psychosis for the first time in specific populations.

Even when there isn't a direct link between substance use disorder and schizophrenia, the two conditions often share overlapping symptoms.

Benefits of Our Schizophrenia and Addiction Treatment Programs

Schizophrenia isn't a condition that can be cured, but it is one that can be effectively managed with the right treatment program, often involving a combination of medication and therapy. Dual-diagnosis treatment is particularly beneficial as it addresses both schizophrenia and substance use disorders simultaneously.

In the beginning, you might benefit from residential treatment, which provides 24/7 care in an inpatient setting. Another option is partial hospitalization, where you receive therapy and treatment during the day but return home to sleep at night.

If you're dealing with substance use alongside schizophrenia, you may need to start with a medically supervised detox to safely manage the withdrawal from alcohol or other substances.

Therapy will help you cope with life's challenges and develop the skills needed to manage both schizophrenia and substance use disorder. You'll learn to identify triggers and recognize early signs of your condition.

Schizophrenia and substance use disorder can have a profound impact on individuals and their families. Through treatment, you can rebuild connections with your loved ones and learn how to not just survive but thrive in the world around you.

Comprehensive Treatment Programs

Banyan Mental Health creates custom treatment programs for all of our patients. Your treatment program will be built to help ensure your success and to help you live a life free from substances and with your schizophrenia symptoms under control.

Medically Supervised Detox

Not every patient who comes through our doors requires medically supervised detox. But depending on how long you have been using substances or alcohol and how dependent your body is on them, you may benefit from medical supervision as you move through the withdrawal process.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT has long been considered the gold standard treatment for numerous mental health conditions, including schizophrenia and substance use disorder. The goal of CBT is to help you develop the skills you need to cope with the challenges that come your way. 

For example, through CBT, you can learn to recognize hallucinations and learn how to react to them when you experience them. CBT can also help you learn to cope with triggers that would usually cause you to reach for alcohol or another substance.

Complementary Therapies

You are more than your conditions. That's why we offer a range of complementary therapies, from art and music therapy to equine therapy, as well as yoga, mindfulness, and other holistic approaches. These complementary therapies can help support your healing and growth, giving you an outlet and a way to express yourself.

Family Therapy

Schizophrenia and substance use disorder affect your loved ones as well. Our family therapy programs help you learn to improve communications with those closest to you.  

Medication

Many patients with schizophrenia find that a combination of medication and talk therapy provides the best route to healing. Medication may also be appropriate to help you manage the symptoms of substance use disorder.