Treating substance abuse in schizophrenia. An initial report.
Schizophrenia patients show alarmingly high rates of substance use disorders. These patients experience neurocognitive and social deficits that make it difficult for them to benefit from effective treatment strategies designed for less-impaired populations. Previously, we described Behavioral Treatment for Substance Abuse in Schizophrenia and discussed how the program was adapted for this population. Here we provide an update of BTSAS, discuss our clinical experience running the intervention, and review how it has changed over five years of development. We present attendance, participation, and substance use data on patients who consented to attend (n = 42), completed (n=14), and dropped out (n = 14) of the program. Outcome data are provided for 14 patients, and comparisons are made between good (n = 5; > or = 67% of urine tests clean from a goal drug over 6 months) and poor (n = 9; < or = 66% of urine tests clean) progress patients. Implications for the treatment are discussed.
Bennett
M E
ME
Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine and VA Capital Network Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. mbenn002@umaryland.edu
Bellack
A S
AS
Gearon
J S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology; D012381:Role Playing; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection
D016578:Crack Cocaine