Though only about 1% of the population is affected by schizophrenia, almost 50% of those individuals struggle with a lifelong occurrence of substance abuse. This rate is three times higher than the rate of substance abuse among the general public. Because of this, it is critical that people struggling with both conditions seek professional help. Men and women who deal with co-occurring substance abuse and schizophrenia suffer from worse symptoms of both conditions, decreased treatment outcomes and adherence to treatment, an increased number of relapses of both conditions that require hospitalization, increased violence, increased risk of homelessness and secondary diseases, and a higher number of suicides.
There are many different reasons why a person with schizophrenia may use illicit drugs throughout the course of their specific disorder. These may include but are not limited to:
For schizophrenia patients who abuse cocaine, there is an increase in suicidality and rate of hospitalization. Unfortunately, these individuals do also have poorer treatment outcomes and are less likely to remain in treatment. One of the main reasons why we see cocaine use in these individuals is due to the increased dopamine that the drug creates in brains that may lack the appropriate amount necessary.
Browse the top treatment centers for addiction and co-occurring disorders by state.
We’ve selected the top dual diagnosis treatment centers in the country based on reviews, accreditations, and how effectively their programs treat addiction and co-occurring mental disorders. For those only dealing with substance abuse, click the button below:
LiveAnotherDay.org’s helpline is a private and convenient solution for individuals seeking treatment for addiction or mental illness.
Calls to our helpline (all non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers) will be answered by Recovery Advisors, American Addiction Centers, or one of our verified local treatment partners. Calls are routed based on geographic location.
Our helpline is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. In some cases, Live Another Day charges our verified partner a modest cost per call, which helps us cover the costs of building and maintaining our website. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor ultimately selects.
For more information on Live Another Day’s helpline, as well as our selection process, mission statement, and staff, visit our About page.
If our helpline is unable to assist you, we recommend browsing our state-by-state listings of the Best-Rated Rehab Centers, reading our resource guides, or visiting SAMHSA.gov.