People with schizophrenia may face a number of challenges: getting diagnosed, continuing treatment, and learning to live with mental illness.
Schizophrenia is also associated with an increased risk of drug and alcohol abuse. Scientists think it has to do with your genes, general changes in brain pathways, or as a way to cope with the symptoms and side effects of the disease.
Schizophrenia and alcohol abuse
Researchers have mainly studied the effects of cannabis and nicotine on people with schizophrenia. But they also found that other factors that affect your nervous system and mood (called psychoactive substances), such as alcohol, can cause first psychosis. This is especially true for young people who are at higher risk for schizophrenia, such as those with a family history of the condition. Alcohol also affects the brain’s reward system, and research has linked changes in this area of the brain to schizophrenia.
By itself, long-term alcohol abuse can cause psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations when you see, feel, hear, or smell something that isn’t there. «These symptoms can mimic or overlap with those of schizophrenia and appear to ‘trigger’ a psychotic episode,» says Kamal Bhatia, MD, a psychiatrist at Sheppard Pratt, a Baltimore-based nonprofit dedicated to mental health, addiction and other services.
People with schizophrenia are also more vulnerable to substance abuse. One large study shows that 47% have a drug or alcohol problem compared to 16% of people without the condition. Another recent study shows that this group is three times more likely to drink alcohol. In fact, it is the second most common psychoactive substance used by people with schizophrenia.
Experts have several theories as to why this is so. First, you are more likely to develop schizophrenia or abuse alcohol if you have a family history of these conditions. Researchers are also looking into links between biomarkers (molecules in your body that indicate illness), alcohol abuse, and schizophrenia. Others believe that some people abuse alcohol to relieve symptoms of psychosis or the side effects of antipsychotic medications.
Warning signs about schizophrenia and alcohol
Many people with schizophrenia go through what Goldsmith calls «social downward drift.» They may be homeless, isolated, or in trouble with the law and are more likely to need emergency help. «Unfortunately, our prisons and prisons are currently the largest providers of mental health services in our country.»
People with mental health problems who heavily abuse drugs and alcohol tend to have poorer health outcomes and relapse because they cannot stick to their treatment plan.
If you’re worried about someone you love, watch for changes in mood and behavior, such as:
- Depression
- Irritability
- Sleep problems
- Insulation
- Decrease in self-service
- Hear voices
- Suspicion
- Self harm
- Violence
- Aggression
- No work or school
- Missed appointments
- Relationship problems
- Return visits to the hospital
But many people abuse alcohol before they develop schizophrenia, which suggests that self-medication is not always the link. Also, if you have this condition and rely on alcohol, your symptoms will actually get worse, not better.