The Link Between Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse

Did you know that individuals who abuse hazards substances are at high risk of developing psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia? Likewise, for those suffering with a mental illness, abusing drugs and alcohol is also highly probable.

In other words, there is a great link between schizophrenia and substance abuse, both known to fuel one another. It is very important to understand this dangerous link, as a dual diagnosis can be very difficult to live with and recover from.

Here at Action Rehab, we’ve supported many individuals through substance abuse, mental health issues and a dual diagnosis. We achieve this through our leading treatment options, promoting full recovery, targeting both physical and psychological behavioural issues. Reach out today if you’re experiencing either schizophrenia or substance abuse, concerned of the potential link between both.

The importance of understanding the dangers between schizophrenia and substance abuse

Understanding the link between schizophrenia and substance abuse is very important. This is down to the common influence each have on one another, fuelling greater side effects, psychological damage and negative psychotic symptoms.

This is a highly concerning situation to be placed within, causing an ongoing cycle which is difficult to break. Yet, it is important to understand that this cycle can be diminished with the right support, antipsychotic medications and treatment.

Although greater treatment will be required when comparing to a standalone addiction/mental health illness, full recovery can be achieved. If you are experiencing either schizophrenia or substance abuse as a standalone disorder, sourcing support sooner than later will be recommended; it is important to remember that you are at a greater risk of developing a dual diagnosis, when comparing to the general population.

How schizophrenia can influence substance abuse

Living with a mental health illness can be very challenging. In this instance, it is highly likely for individuals, suffering with the likes of schizophrenia to abuse drugs and alcohol. Drugs and alcohol will be viewed as a coping mechanism, an escape from reality. They will self-medicate, with the aim to reduce psychotic symptoms. Yet, by doing so, they are developing a habitual behaviour, a dependency on drugs and alcohol.

With this in mind, it is easy to see the link between schizophrenia and substance abuse. It is understandable that self-medication will be attempted, with the aim to reduce negative side effects. However, by taking control of treatment themselves, individuals are influencing a dual diagnosis, resulting in the requirement of further treatment, down the line.

If you’re suffering with schizophrenia, it’s important to understand the dangers linked to also consuming drugs and alcohol. Although in the moment, positive feelings may be felt, helping you reduce your symptoms of schizophrenia, in the long-term, you will be influencing an occurring disorder.

How substance abuse can worsen schizophrenia and further mental illnesses

When consuming hazardous substances on a consistent basis, it is highly likely that an addiction will develop. Yet, within this process, developing mental illnesses is also a common occurrence. Through consistent substance abuse, psychological impairment is likely, with the potential to influence early onset psychotic symptoms.

As consumption increases, those symptoms will worsen, soon developing into a disorder. Schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and paranoia are all common mental health issues experienced by drug and alcohol addicts. This is commonly down to the psychological damage created by hazardous toxins.

Yet, there are further factors, such as environmental factors which can influence the dual diagnosis of schizophrenia and substance abuse. Once vulnerable to either disorder, the potential to develop further psychological dependencies or behaviours is likely. Likewise, deep, distressing underlying episodes or issues can influence either disorder, with a high potential of developing a vicious circle.

If you’re currently abusing drugs or alcohol, it’s important to consider the psychological damage you are experiencing, with the likelihood of developing life-altering disorders, such as schizophrenia.

Finding support for mental illness

Whether you’re experiencing a dual diagnosis or a stand along disorder, it is vital that you find support for substance abuse/mental illness. Without this step, a future of negative side effects and further potential psychological impairments is likely. Not to mention the inability to lead a high-quality life, down to the psychotic symptoms experienced.

With this in mind, here at Action Rehab, we encourage those suffering to speak out. Through our range of drug and alcohol rehab centres, we can help you recover through our leading treatment options. It is highly important that in this instance that treatment is completed for a dual diagnosis. Without this step, future relapses will be probable, advancing the link between schizophrenia and substance abuse.

Leading addiction treatment for a dual diagnosis

By investing into an alcohol or drug rehab programme, leading treatment options will be completed to tackle both addiction and mental health issues. Yet, to ensure that each can be overcome, standalone treatment plans will be recommended.

To work on substance abuse, a drug and alcohol detox programme will be completed to diminish the physical dependence. Yet, to further ensure the psychological connection to drugs and alcohol can be broken, psychologically driven treatment options will be promoted. These include cognitive behavioural therapy, support groups and therapy sessions. We have helped clients achieve great success rates by merging a mixture of medical and psychological treatment options together.

To recover from schizophrenia, a number of similar treatment options will also be encouraged, with a large focus on cognitive behavioural therapy. Yet, to control psychotic symptoms greater, the management of antipsychotic medications will be required. This treatment option will help to make symptoms manageable, as psychological therapies are started. Throughout both rounds of treatment, motivational therapy will also be promoted to ensure that you’ll continue on the road to recovery, conquering a dual diagnosis.

By only completing one round of treatment, you will leave yourself vulnerable to further degrees of schizophrenia and substance abuse. With this in mid, we highly recommend completing a comprehensive treatment plan which is designed to work through a dual diagnosis.

Without this step, the ongoing cycle of schizophrenia and substance abuse will develop, causing severe psychological impairment. Reach out to Action Rehab before this unbearable time is experienced.

Posted on Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 at 4:01 pm in Addiction, Latest News.