Doctors and psychologists have long speculated the link between certain mental illnesses and substance abuse problems. Schizophrenia, in particular, is one illness in which the connection with addiction is illusive. What clinicians do know is that comorbidity of schizophrenia and addiction is, on average, prevalent in about 50 percent of people with schizophrenia. How are these two correlated?
Learning More About Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that affects approximately 1 percent of the population. The disease is marked by psychological personality elements such as hallucinations or delusions, as well as disorganized thoughts, speech, and behaviors. It’s thought to affect males more often than females, with the age of onset for the illness occurring earlier in males than females. The National Institutes of Health, an online psychology resource from the U.S. National Library of Medicine, does indicate that substance use and abuse can exacerbate the symptoms of schizophrenia, with those dependent on substances being more likely to relapse and more prone to violence, hospitalization and resistance to treatment.
Theories on the Relationships Between Schizophrenia and Addiction
There are a few theories regarding the correlation between these two illnesses, and all appear to be equally valid. While studies are still being conducted, further exploration into this link can only serve to help psychologists and clinicians develop better and more effective treatments. According to Medscape, both illnesses are highly heritable, meaning that a person can inherit genes from family members that predispose them to the potential for the illnesses. Here are some ideas that have been presented to help distinguish the relationship between schizophrenia and substance abuse:
- Schizophrenia may contribute to substance abuse. It’s thought that schizophrenia can heighten one’s vulnerability to addiction and substance abuse. The neuropathology behind schizophrenia affects social, cognitive, emotional and behavioral functions, causing a person to have a lowered level of resistance to some addictive substances. Additionally, certain psychosocial factors like education, living conditions, peer relationships, and employment can contribute to the use of substances, especially if these factors are associated with poverty and lowered quality of life. Essentially, this would allude to the fact that those with schizophrenia who are unemployed, with little education, or homeless may be more likely to abuse substances.
- Substance abuse can cause schizophrenia. Doctors have been studying the links between certain drugs like nicotine and cannabis to learn more about how they can cause or trigger schizophrenia. A recent study noted by TIME speculated that smoking marijuana can cause short-term psychosis, and those with schizophrenia are two times more likely to smoke cannabis and vice versa. Other studies suggest that smoking marijuana can cause and quicken the age of onset of schizophrenia to trigger in those who are genetically predisposed to the illness.
- Self-medication. Aside from the two relationships noted above, it is likely that schizophrenics use drugs or alcohol to quell or ease the positive and negative symptoms associated with the illness. While clinicians do surmise that substances can increase the side effects of schizophrenia, this theory suggests that schizophrenics may use drugs to feel some semblance of “normal.”
- Reward circuitry dysfunction. While this theory is still being explored further, studies noted on Psychiatry Online indicate that schizophrenia may cause some kind of problem in the functioning of the brain’s reward center, an area of the brain that deals primarily with the neurotransmitter dopamine. It’s thought that schizophrenics may use drugs or alcohol in order to balance this dysfunction.
If you or someone you love is suffering from schizophrenia and co-occurring substance abuse, it’s time to seek help. Schizophrenia is a lifelong illness that requires professional help. When paired with substance abuse, the effects can be devastating. The Oaks at La Paloma specializes in helping people free themselves from comorbid conditions and learn to function in a healthy way that promotes self-esteem and personal well-being. Call us today to learn more about our personalized treatment options and how professional assistance can help you.