Key Takeaways
- Schizophrenia is classified as one of the psychotic disorders, which are characterized by disruptions in thinking and perception, and it often co-occurs with other psychiatric disorders.
- Substance use disorders, including alcohol addiction, drug use, and nicotine dependence, are highly prevalent among patients with schizophrenia.
- Co-occurring schizophrenia and addiction require dual diagnosis (integrated) treatment, addressing both disorders together for better outcomes.
- This dual diagnosis treatment includes therapy, medication management, detox, coping skills training, and aftercare planning.
- Early detection, professional support, and a strong treatment team are critical for managing symptoms and reducing relapse risk.
If you are struggling with schizophrenia and addiction, it is important to understand that you aren’t alone. What many people do not understand is that co-occurring disorders, such as schizophrenia and addiction, are quite common.
In this article, we will discuss the complexities of schizophrenia and addiction and the treatment options available. We will also dive into the signs of co-occurring disorders and when you should seek professional help.
What Is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that often includes a mix of schizophrenia symptoms such as delusions, disorganized thinking, and hallucinations. It is a mental health condition that requires lifelong treatment, often involving medication and regular therapy.
The symptoms of schizophrenia are typically categorized together as positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms typically include hallucinations and delusions. Negative symptoms refer to conditions as social withdrawal and flat affect.
It can be challenging for individuals to recognize that they have schizophrenia, as the symptoms often result in them not believing that anything is wrong. How they think and behave may seem normal to them or they may even lose touch with reality. The initial presentation of symptoms, sometimes referred to as ‘first episode psychosis,’ is critical for early detection and intervention in schizophrenic patients and other psychiatric patients.
Here are the schizophrenia symptoms that should never be ignored:
Disorganized Thinking
Those with schizophrenia often have disorganized speech and thinking, which can make it very difficult for them to communicate with others. They may be unable to answer questions, or their speech pattern may be unorganized and confusing.
Delusions
As positive symptoms, schizophrenia often leads to delusions, which can negatively impact the individual’s ability to think clearly and function within reality. Some common schizophrenia delusions include a belief that they are being harassed or harmed, or they believe that a disaster is about to occur.
Disorganized and Unusual Behavior
Sometimes, schizophrenia can also present symptoms of disorganized or unusual behavior that doesn’t logically make sense. The individual may go through extreme mood swings, be unable to follow directions, or behave inappropriately in social settings.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations are another positive symptom of schizophrenia and often involve the individual seeing or hearing things that aren’t there. These hallucinations can be very real to the individual, making it hard for them to grasp what is real and what isn’t.
Keep in mind that schizophrenia could also present other types of symptoms, such as a lack of personal hygiene, not making eye contact, speaking in a monotone voice, socially withdrawing, etc.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Schizophrenia?
To diagnose schizophrenia, clinicians use criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual published by the American Psychiatric Association. Diagnosis may involve assessment of brain structure through imaging studies and evaluation of cognitive deficits, as these factors can be important in understanding the disorder.
Other risk factors, such as environmental factors, childhood trauma, and smoking tobacco contribute to the increased risk of developing substance use disorders and comorbid schizophrenia. There are also genetic factors and genetic risk, which play a significant role in susceptibility to developing schizophrenia. This is especially true when combined with environmental influences such as substance use.
Let’s take a closer look below.
Can You Have Schizophrenia and Addiction at the Same Time?
Now that you know what schizophrenia is and how it can impact someone, can schizophrenia and addiction occur at the same time? Unfortunately, it is possible for someone to have schizophrenia and addiction in combination. When this happens, this is called a co-occurring disorder, which is just a term used when a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder occur together. This is especially relevant for patients with schizophrenia, as comorbid schizophrenia and substance misuse are common clinical challenges. Other drug abuse, including stimulants and opioids, can further complicate the clinical picture in individuals with schizophrenia.
It’s also important to recognize that addiction is a mental health disorder as well. Addictive substances change how your brain works, impacting your ability to think clearly, make decisions, and generally function on a day-to-day basis.
When talking about schizophrenia and addiction specifically, schizophrenia is usually the disorder that comes first. Then, this mental illness opens the door to developing substance misuse, whether you are trying to self-medicate or simply struggle with impulse control. Those with schizophrenia may struggle to recognize that they have a substance abuse problem, or they may not care. The presence of severe mental illness makes the treatment of dual diagnosis more complex, often requiring integrated and multidisciplinary approaches.
Brain Reward Circuitry and Addiction
The brain reward system is a network of brain circuits involved in reinforcing pleasurable behaviors by releasing dopamine. This is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in motivation and reward. In people with schizophrenia, research shows that this dopamine system often functions differently. Ultimately, this can increase the risk of developing substance use disorders and other co-occurring mental disorders.
For patients with schizophrenia, changes in brain structure and function can lead to reduced dopamine release. This means that everyday activities may not feel as rewarding, contributing to negative symptoms such as lack of motivation and social withdrawal. As a result, individuals may turn to substance use, including drug abuse and alcohol use, in an attempt to boost dopamine levels and experience pleasure. Unfortunately, this can set the stage for addiction, as the brain becomes reliant on substances to feel good.
Substances like cannabis, nicotine, and other illicit drugs can further disrupt the brain reward circuitry. For example:
- Cannabis use disorder is particularly concerning in people with schizophrenia, as cannabis can trigger or worsen psychotic symptoms and increase the risk of earlier onset of severe psychiatric disorder.
- Similarly, tobacco smoking and nicotine dependence are highly prevalent among schizophrenia patients, with nicotine temporarily improving cognitive deficits but ultimately reinforcing addiction and potentially worsening overall mental health.
Given these complex interactions, dual diagnosis treatment is crucial for individuals facing both schizophrenia and addiction.
Let’s take a closer look below.
How to Treat Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders
Although it is possible to treat co-occurring disorders individually, this is generally not recommended. Occurring disorders are very unique since the mental health and substance abuse disorders interact with one another and often enable each other. Because of this, it is better to address both disorders at the same time with a treatment option like dual diagnosis.
Dual diagnosis treatment is specifically designed for co-occurring disorders as it addresses and treats both schizophrenia and and substance use simultaneously. This will help you to address the root cause of both disorders as well as understand their connection.
It is essential that you work with trained professionals in this matter. Struggling with a substance abuse disorder when you have schizophrenia can make this mental health condition that much more dangerous, so specialized treatment is the best option.
What Dual Diagnosis Treatment Provides
Despite the fact that co-occurring disorders are quite common, they are still a mystery to many people. This also means that many people are unaware of what dual diagnosis treatment is and what it looks like.
Dual diagnosis treatment provides a full person approach, taking into account your specific needs and goals when coming up with a treatment plan. From there, you will work with a team of mental health and addiction professionals, and will be provided with resources, such as:
- Counseling and therapy
- Medication management
- Detox
- Life skills training
- Aftercare planning
Most dual diagnosis treatment programs also provide flexible options to fit different situations. So, you may have the option of joining a long-term or short-term program, or a program that is inpatient or outpatient.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Near Me: Knowing When to Get Help
Part of why having schizophrenia and addiction is so challenging is that it can be difficult to recognize when you need help. Schizophrenia can be very deceptive, leading you to believe that you are fine, even when you aren’t. Because of this, it can be helpful to know what signs to watch out for that could indicate that you need to seek co-occurring disorder treatment.
If you aren’t sure whether or not this is something you need, here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Have you started using substances as a way of self-medicating your mental health symptoms?
- Are you struggling to grasp what is real and what isn’t?
- Have you started to withdraw from loved ones and hide your substance abuse?
- Have you started to use more substances as a way of getting through the day?
- Have your loved ones shown concern about your mental health or substance use?
- Are you finding it difficult to keep up with your responsibilities, such as work or school?
- Are you experiencing depressive symptoms or anxiety disorders along with your substance use or schizophrenia symptoms?
Get Dual Diagnosis Treatment Today at The Lakes Treatment Center
Co-occurring disorders can be very complex and require a very specific treatment approach that addresses both disorders. This isn’t something that you can manage on your own; you need professional help.
At The Lakes Treatment Center, we have created a dual diagnosis treatment program that targets the specific needs of individuals with co-occurring disorders. Our program uses a comprehensive approach to address your specific treatment needs for a smoother recovery process.
Are you ready to join a dual diagnosis treatment program near you? Contact us today at The Lakes Treatment Center to learn more about the recovery resources we provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you treat schizophrenia and addiction?
Integrated treatment approaches (or combining antipsychotic medications, substance abuse treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and support for smoking cessation) are recommended by organizations like the American Psychiatric Association and the National Institute of Mental Health. These comprehensive programs address both the mental illness and the substance use disorder, helping patients manage symptoms, reduce relapse risk, and improve overall quality of life.
Q: Is integrated treatment the same as dual diagnosis treatment?
Yes. Dual diagnosis treatment, also referred to as integrated treatment, is recommended for dual diagnosis patients, especially those with co-occurring schizophrenia and substance use disorders, as it combines therapies and medication management to improve outcomes.
Q: What are the signs that someone with schizophrenia needs addiction treatment?
Warning signs include using substances to self-medicate symptoms, losing touch with reality, withdrawing from loved ones, hiding substance use, escalating consumption, struggling with daily responsibilities, or developing anxiety or depression alongside substance use. These indicators suggest a need for professional evaluation.
Q: How common is schizophrenia and substance use?
Serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, is associated with an increased risk of developing substance use disorders compared to the general population. Many individuals develop issues with alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, or other drugs, due to a mix of biological vulnerability, environmental stress, and attempts to self-manage symptoms.
Q: What should I look for in a dual diagnosis treatment program?
Look for programs that offer integrated therapy, psychiatric care, medication management, detox, relapse-prevention planning, and ongoing support. A team experienced in co-occurring disorders is essential for addressing both schizophrenia symptoms and substance use safely.
Q: How can I get help for schizophrenia and addiction?
Start by consulting a mental health professional, medical provider, or addiction treatment center offering dual diagnosis services. Programs like The Lakes Treatment Center provide assessments, medically supported care, and tailored treatment plans to help individuals regain stability and begin recovery.
