Drug abuse in schizophrenic patients: clinical correlates and reasons for use
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to 1) determine substance abuse prevalence and preference in a diverse sample of schizophrenic, schizoaffective, and schizophreniform inpatients, 2) compare drug-abusing and non-drug-abusing patients on demographic and clinical variables during the acute and stabilization phases of their hospital course, and 3) obtain data from patients on reasons for drug abuse and on acute state-related changes during periods of intoxication. METHOD: Eighty-three psychotic inpatients consecutively admitted to a New York City teaching hospital were evaluated. Sixty-eight had schizophrenia, 12 had schizoaffective disorder, and three had schizophreniform disorder diagnosed according to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. Each patient received ratings on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Global Assessment Scale, and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms at admission and at discharge, an evaluation of premorbid adjustment, and an extensive interview on drug and alcohol use. RESULTS: Forty (48%) of the patients received diagnoses of drug or alcohol abuse or dependence. The drug-abusing patients primarily used cannabis (N = 26), alcohol (N = 21), and cocaine (N = 14) and reported that they abused drugs to get "high," to relieve depression, and to relax. They had significantly fewer positive and negative symptoms at discharge, better sexual adjustment and worse school performance during adolescence, and more family histories of drug abuse than the non-drug-abusing patients. CONCLUSIONS: Schizophrenic patients who abuse drugs may represent a subgroup of patients with better prognoses and less severe clinical characteristics of schizophrenia, but their drug abuse may adversely affect global outcome.
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The high frequency of substance abuse, sexual risk behaviors, and reduced knowledge about HIV-related issues contribute to the high HIV prevalence in people with SMI.
“The high frequency of substance abuse, sexual risk behaviors (e.g., sex without a condom, trading sex for money and drugs), and a reduced knowledge about HIV-related issues contribute to this high HIV prevalence (364,371-376).”
From Physical illness in patients with severe mental disorders. I. Prevalence, impact of medications and disparities in health care (2011) · cites this paper as [371]
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- Authors
- Dixon, L. B., Haas, G. L., Weiden, P. J., Sweeney, J. A., & FRANCES, A. J.
- Venue
- American Journal of Psychiatry
- Published
- 1991-02-01
- Volume
- 148
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 224-230
- ISSN
- 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
- 1535-7228
- OpenAlex
- W2301271095
- Cited by
- 547
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 21
- FWCI
- 16.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5r01mh042969-08, 5r29mh043613-06)
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH-42969, MH43613)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Demography › Youth, Drugs, and Violence
- Keywords
- substance abuse, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, cannabis use, alcohol consumption, cocaine use, negative symptoms, premorbid adjustment, prognosis
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Alcoholism, Marijuana Abuse, Cocaine, Female, Hospitalization, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Motivation, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Schizophrenia, Schizophrenic Psychology, Prevalence, Substance-Related Disorders
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