Substance use and schizophrenia: effects on symptoms, social functioning and service use.
BACKGROUND
Studies examining the effects of substance use in patients with schizophrenia have produced conflicting results.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of comorbid substance use on symptoms, social functioning and service use in patients with schizophrenia.


METHODS
Patients (n=316) with and without substance use problems from three centres participating in the Scottish Comorbidity Study were compared, using research interviews and case note review, on measures of symptoms, social functioning and service use.


RESULTS
Patients with substance use problems were younger, more likely to be male and had shorter duration of illness. They had more police contact and increased self-reported needs, but otherwise showed few differences when compared with those without such problems.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of problem substance use had only modest impact on service use, symptoms or social functioning for this group of patients with schizophrenia. This has important implications for service development to meet the perceived needs of this group.
Cantwell
Roch
R
University Department of Psychological Medicine, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow, UK. r.cantwell@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*