Schizophrenia is a personality disorder that affects over 2.6 million men and women ages 18 and older in the United States. The chronic mental health condition is most famous for its ability to alter how an individual thinks and how they feel and behave in numerous private and social settings. The exact genetic and inheritance patterns regarding the development of schizophrenia remain largely unknown. Individuals with a close relative who struggles with the personality disorder may have a higher risk for developing schizophrenia than the general public. Still, researchers note that a direct genetic connection to schizophrenia as a mental illness does not guarantee that an individual, or their offspring, will ever develop the condition personally.

Anyone can develop schizophrenia. Diagnosis of schizophrenic disorders occurs in a spectrum. Some conditions may prove more severe than others and thus may require more specific treatments. Although schizophrenia is not a curable form of psychosis, the condition is manageable enough. Most people who struggle with the illness can live full, productive, and unhindered lives with the disorder with proper treatment assistance. Most schizophrenic diagnoses occur in the late teen years but may extend to individuals in their early thirties. Additionally, most clients who struggle with schizophrenia personality disorders tend to be male over female, although anyone in either gender can develop the condition.

Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Schizophrenic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder that affects the lives of millions in straightforward and sometimes life-altering ways. Likewise, addiction and substance abuse disorders disrupt the lives of millions of people every single year. Substance abuse, another form of a chronic brain disorder, often coincides with other mental health conditions like schizophrenia. Individuals who have schizophrenia are 50% more likely to also develop an alcohol or drug use disorder at some point in their lifetime.

The good news is, although both schizophrenia and substance use disorders are complex conditions that affect the very core of the brain, there are treatments out there that can help individuals live whole and happy lives. Schizophrenia disorders are not curable conditions, but they are manageable illnesses. Meanwhile, even the most severe of substance use disorders do have the potential to be overcome.

Of course, even though addiction and schizophrenic personality disorders are typically easily decipherable in an individual, the conditions can be mild enough where they escape diagnosis and treatment for a time. Some of the most common symptoms to look for to determine if someone is struggling with schizophrenia include:

  • Delusions
  • Hallucinations
  • Disorganized speech patterns
  • Disorganized behaviors
  • Impaired cognitive ability
  • Impaired memory retention
  • Loss of significant amounts of executive functioning
  • Impaired ability to think clearly
  • Inability to pay attention
  • Heightened suspiciousness
  • Low dopamine levels
  • Depression

Some of the most common effects that point to substance abuse include:

  • Changes in peer groups
  • Changes in appearance
  • Heightened suspiciousness
  • Depression
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Changes in behavior
  • Impaired ability to think clearly
  • Impaired cognitive functioning
  • Impaired motor skills
  • Deteriorating relationships with friends and family
  • Declining performance in work or school
  • Loss of interest in once-favorite activities
  • Increase in anxiety

Many of the side effects and symptoms of addiction and schizophrenia may overlap as both conditions work to alter how the brain operates primarily. Still, there will be rather significant differences as well. Anyone can develop a substance use disorder at any point in their life, just as anyone may develop a case of schizophrenia.

The chances of a co-occurring disorder developing with the dual presence of schizophrenia and substance abuse are also high. A co-occurring condition, or dual diagnosis, is a term to refer to the event in which both a mental illness and substance use disorder are present within an individual simultaneously. Dual diagnosis is tricky to treat, as all occurring disorders–which may consist of two or more conditions–must receive treatments all at once but with individual care objectives and goals.

On average, patients who suffer from a schizophrenic disorder also struggle with alcohol, tobacco, and drug use issues 50% to 70% more than the general public would. Typically, one in every four individuals with a severe mental illness like schizophrenia also struggles with substance use disorder. Co-occurring disorders between schizophrenia and substance abuse are common. Thus many treatment centers like St. John’s Recovery Place (SJRP) dedicate special attention to providing clients with holistic treatment experiences for dual diagnoses.

But there is hope for you or your loved one who finds themselves struggling with a dual diagnosis! Thousands of drug and alcohol rehab centers are willing to work with you on the path to healing. All you need to do is find the rehabilitation facility that works best with your needs.

Finding Treatment for Co-Occurring Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse Disorders

Treatment for co-occurring schizophrenia and substance abuse will take some time. On average, the process of addiction treatment can take anywhere from three months to a year in inpatient rehab, with true healing consisting of a lifetime of diligent work for clients to remain sober. Schizophrenia is not a curable disease, but with proper medication and treatment, clients can happily manage the illness to allow themselves to live their lives the way they please.

On average, treating someone with a co-occurring disorder in inpatient rehab can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months longer. The good news is, like other addiction and mental health treatments, there are no wrong answers regarding therapy methods and healing. Not every therapeutic approach will work for everyone. Some individuals may need a more extensive treatment plan, while others may benefit more from a streamlined and straightforward process. Here at St. John’s Recovery Place (SJRP), we specialize in holistic, alternative healing methods alongside traditional addiction and co-occurring disorder treatments.

We consider every person who walks through our doors for treatment as a member of our family. And as a member of the SJRP family, we will be here to cheer you on through every goal you accomplish and encourage you through every challenge you encounter through your rehab experience and beyond. We understand how scary drug and alcohol rehab may sound and feel. We know how complex the treatment process can be and how overwhelmed you may feel. But we also believe in your capability to fight for your freedom from addiction.

You can heal! All you need is a great support system, dedication, and quality treatment options to get you through the process of healing. Call us at 1-833-397-3422 to learn more about how you can heal from the influence of substance abuse and schizophrenia and begin your new life today. You won’t regret your call.

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