Unmanaged schizophrenia and other mental health disorders increase the risk of substance abuse. The effects of substance use disorder (SUD) often have a profound negative impact on the lives of individuals with schizophrenia. Driftwood Recovery uses specialized treatment programs to provide tailored care to clients with co-occurring SUD and schizophrenia.
What Is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a psychotic mental health disorder affecting a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality, which can be distressing for them and for their family and friends.” Schizophrenia is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, and an impaired ability to identify reality. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia may also experience cognitive impairments and emotional disturbances.
The Importance of Understanding Schizophrenia
Symptoms of schizophrenia can overlap with other conditions and may make it difficult for people to recognize the warning signs. Understanding the symptoms of schizophrenia can help people identify when to seek professional treatment for their condition. Individuals with schizophrenia often require medication and other treatments to successfully manage their condition.
The Impact of Schizophrenia on Mental Health
Schizophrenia has a deteriorating effect on mental health. If left undiagnosed or unmanaged, schizophrenia has the potential to contribute to the development of substance use disorder and other conditions. Stigmas, discrimination, and disinformation surrounding schizophrenia may also negatively impact a person’s mental health.
Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia
According to the previously mentioned article by NIMH, “People with schizophrenia are usually diagnosed between the ages of 16 and 30, after the first episode of psychosis.” Early intervention and treatment is the best way to manage schizophrenia.
Some of the most common symptoms and warning signs of schizophrenia include:
- False or irrational beliefs that cannot be changed
- Visual and auditory hallucinations
- Paranoid thoughts, beliefs, or behaviors
- Difficulty expressing ideas verbally or in writing
- Extreme emotional distress and mood swings
- Inappropriate, excessive, or strange actions
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Inability to function independently
- Catatonia, including a lack of movement or speech
The symptoms exist on a spectrum and may be absent for long periods. Some individuals only experience one psychotic episode in their lifetime, while others may experience multiple psychotic episodes. Treatment reduces the risk of these episodes and decreases the severity of symptoms, allowing people to live functional and fulfilling lives.
Recognizing Hallucinations and Delusions
Learning to recognize the difference between a hallucination or delusion and reality may be challenging for individuals with schizophrenia. The experiences feel real, and people may have difficulty identifying the source of what they see or hear. Clients can increase self-awareness and develop practical coping skills by participating in therapy and other treatments for schizophrenia during drug rehabilitation.
A few ways people learn to recognize a hallucination or delusion include:
- Reality-Testing: Relying on context, trusted friends or loved ones, and technology like phone recordings to determine if something is based on reality
- Prescription Medication: Medications reduce the intensity of symptoms and make it easier for people to recognize hallucinations or delusions
- Keeping a Journal: Individuals may use a journal or other tracking tool to monitor changes and identify symptoms or triggers, making it easier to identify hallucinations and delusions
Our treatment programs help clients improve their ability to recognize and manage their symptoms.
Causes and Risk Factors of Schizophrenia
Many people diagnosed with schizophrenia and co-occurring substance use disorder have multiple risk factors contributing to their condition. Some of the most common causes and risk factors for developing schizophrenia include:
- Environmental factors
- Genetics
- Neurochemical imbalances
- Abnormal brain structures
- Prenatal exposure to infection or disease
- Abusing psychoactive substances, especially as an adolescent or young adult
- Highly traumatic events impacting brain development
- Additional developmental factors
Brain chemistry affects whether someone is likely to develop schizophrenia and how their symptoms manifest.
Substance Abuse and Schizophrenia Risk
According to Schizophrenia Research, “Substance use disorders occur commonly in patients with schizophrenia and dramatically worsen their overall clinical course.” In addition, individuals who abuse psychoactive substances, including marijuana, have an increased risk of developing psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. Younger individuals who abuse marijuana and other psychoactive drugs may experience changes in brain development, leading to permanent cognitive issues.
Schizophrenia Diagnosis and Management
Early intervention and treatment is the best way to avoid severe complications caused by the symptoms of schizophrenia. A mental health professional must diagnose schizophrenia to ensure clients receive the best care to meet their needs. The disorder is diagnosed based on comprehensive clinical assessments. Managing schizophrenia typically involves a combination of antipsychotic medications, psychotherapy, and social support. Clients may require ongoing treatment to improve long-term outcomes and reduce the severity of symptoms. Comprehensive treatment for clinically diagnosed schizophrenia minimizes the risk of complications during recovery from substance abuse.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) is used to determine the criteria for schizophrenia. To be diagnosed with the disorder, a person must persistently experience two or more of the following symptoms for a significant period of time:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganized speech
- Lack of emotional expression or motivation
- Disorganized behavior
- Catatonic behavior
A clinician will rule out other potential causes of these symptoms and provide clients with an accurate diagnosis and prognosis. We collaborate with clients and their loved ones to create a tailored treatment plan that addresses their condition and prepares them to manage it long-term. In some cases, clients may be referred to a higher level of care until their condition stabilizes, at which time they can return to Driftwood Recovery for rehabilitation.
Effective Therapies for Schizophrenia
A few of the therapies and services used to effectively treat dual diagnosis involving schizophrenia include:
- Psychiatry
- Psychotherapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Peer support
- Relapse prevention education
- Family therapy
- Social skills development
- Psychoeducation
- Additional mental health services
Mental health professionals at Driftwood Recovery use various treatment options to address specific symptoms and ensure clients feel supported.
Medication Options: Antipsychotics and More
Some of the medication options for individuals in treatment for schizophrenia include:
- Atypical Antipsychotics: Clozapine, Risperidone, Ziprasidone, Olanzapine, Paliperidone, Quetiapine, Aripiprazole, Asenapine, Iloperidone, Brexpiprazole, Cariprazine, Pimavanserin, Lumateperone, and Lurasidone
- Typical Antipsychotics: Haloperidol, Fluphenazine, Chlorpromazine, Loxapine, Perphenazine, Pimozide, Thiothixene, and Trifluoperazine
Clients may try several medications before they find the best one to address their unique symptoms and side effects.
Integrated Treatment Approaches: Combining Medication and Therapy
A combination of therapy and medication generally provides the best outcomes for clients experiencing schizophrenia and substance use disorder. We offer a range of therapeutic modalities to address the needs of each client.
Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a cornerstone of psychotherapy and one of the most effective treatments for addressing addiction, schizophrenia, and other mental health conditions. We offer individual and group CBT sessions, including referrals to outside specialists when appropriate. CBT helps clients recognize unhealthy thought patterns and develop essential coping skills.
Managing Schizophrenia at Driftwood Recovery
Our dedicated team of addiction recovery and mental health professionals help clients manage schizophrenia while receiving care for SUD. We use a variety of approaches to ensure clients receive tailored care to meet their specific needs.
Individualized Treatment Plans
Our clinicians use individualized treatment plans to address schizophrenia and addiction. We collaborate with clients and their loved ones to ensure tailored care plans address all factors impacting client health and safety.
Supportive Therapies and Community Integration
The community integration program (CIP) at Driftwood Recovery offers clients additional support as they transition into continuing care. We encourage clients with schizophrenia or other complex dual diagnosis to take advantage of the support services provided by our CIP program.
Understanding the Impact on Quality of Life
Schizophrenia has a profound impact on a person’s quality of life unless they have the skills, resources, and support to manage it successfully. Driftwood Recovery ensures clients understand the effects of their condition and how to manage it during aftercare and ongoing recovery. Some individuals may benefit from referrals to outside services for medication or case management during early recovery. We provide referrals and ensure clients have access to the resources they need to continue healing and making progress in their recovery journey.
The Importance of Family and Community Support
Developing healthy coping skills and strategies for managing co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders is easier for clients with a strong support system. Family members often play a vital role in medication management and accountability. Driftwood Recovery encourages families to actively participate in the treatment process.
According to the Journal of Public Health Research, “Family is a major support system, which provides direct care to healthy people, as well as schizophrenia patients.” In addition, “Family can help their relatives with schizophrenia to improve ways to cope and adapt to the symptoms of schizophrenia.” Many clients take advantage of family therapy to strengthen relationships and ensure all family members understand the reality of recovery from co-occurring addiction and schizophrenia.
Undiagnosed or unmanaged schizophrenia can have a devastating effect on the lives of individuals experiencing substance use disorder. Driftwood Recovery treats schizophrenia and dual diagnosis using evidence-based therapies. To learn more about our programs and services, call us today at (512) 759-8330.
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