What are the most common drugs abused by people with schizophrenia?

The most common drug or substance abuse that was seen among people with schizophrenia include:

Why do people with schizophrenia resort to the drug?

According to some studies, some of the reasons for people with schizophrenia to turn to drug abuse are to:

• Numb down their misery
• Improve social performance
• Belong and share a group experience
• Avoid losing a peer group
• Attain intoxication
• Reduce side effects of medicines
• Reduce aggression
• Combat distressing emotions and experience
• Feel powerful or creative
• Cope with trauma or loss
• Achieve a sense of identity
• Escape dull life
• Use self-medication to deal with negative symptoms of schizophrenia, which include:

Some notions among these people that motivate them to try drugs include:

• Drugs were not believed to cause psychosis
• The preferred substance was more acceptable in the hierarchy of acceptability of drugs
• Illicit drugs worked as a medicine
• Using drugs was normal in their community

Some of the factors that can make a person vulnerable to drugs are:

• Family discord and social influences
• Specific personality traits
• Childhood trauma
• Poor brain functioning
• The severity of schizophrenic symptoms

What symptoms do a person with schizophrenia taking drugs exhibit?

Although schizophrenia can dramatically alter a person’s thoughts, emotions, speech, and behavior, these symptoms are difficult to identify in people under significant drug influence. Drug use can disguise the symptoms of schizophrenia and vice-versa.

Some of the common symptoms seen in people with schizophrenia and substance abuse are:

• Unpredictable moods and behaviors
• Withdrawal from social situations
• Delusional beliefs about oneself and others
• Auditory or visual hallucinations
• Disorganized thoughts
• Rapid, pressured speech
• An odd or inappropriate emotional affect
• Poor judgment and high-risk behaviors
• Lack of concentration

What are the complications of drug abuse in people with schizophrenia?

Some of the complications of drug abuse in people with schizophrenia are:

• Higher chances of relapse or recurrence
• Chances of exhibiting risky behavior
• Higher hospitalizations
• Increased suicidal tendency
• Increased risk of injury and illness
• Intensify schizophrenic symptoms
• Low compliance with treatment
• Higher cognitive impairment

How can you beat drug abuse?

Motivation and self-directed behavior change is key to reducing drug abuse in people with schizophrenia. Both the conditions need to be addressed individually. Treating one condition can lead to relapse and a low compliance rate.

The initial phase of treatment includes a detox period, where the person is treated for withdrawal symptoms.

Following the initial treatment for withdrawal, other treatment options include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Adult daily living skills training
• Family involvement
• Substance refusal skills training
• Medication management
• Motivational interviewing techniques