There is a strong link between schizophrenia and substance use. Those who experience the symptoms of schizophrenia often struggle with some form of addiction as well. This makes diagnosis and treatment more difficult, as the symptoms of addiction can mask and obscure the symptoms of schizophrenia. Dual diagnosis care is needed to determine the true underlying conditions.
Why are schizophrenia and addiction so strongly linked? Part of it is that those who struggle with schizophrenia often reach to drugs and alcohol as a means of self-medication. In other instances, the brain chemistry imbalances that lead to this disorder can also lead to substance use disorders—meaning the two conditions are related to the same root problem.
What are the Treatments for Schizophrenia?
Recovery is possible. The first step is seeking the proper diagnosis, including a diagnosis of any co-occurring conditions, such as substance use disorders. WestBridge overs specialized dual diagnosis care.
From there, an individualized recovery plan can be developed. The important thing here is to create a course of action that takes individual needs into consideration. Individual therapy, group therapy, and ongoing coaching and support may be needed; in many cases, medication is also an effective part of the treatment plan.
Even after the initial treatment is complete and symptoms are under control, ongoing therapy and support group participation are typically required to maintain recovery; even medication may be needed on an ongoing basis. However, with the right commitment to treatment, those who are in recovery can lead healthy and productive lives.
What Causes Schizophrenia?
The specific cause of schizophrenia remains unclear, though there are different factors that researchers consider to be significant. The main two are genetics and brain chemistry.
Certainly, evidence suggests that schizophrenia runs in families, and that a person who has this disorder in their family tree may inherit the condition. Additionally, an imbalance in brain chemistry—which can also boil down to genetics—can be traced to schizophrenia.
Other factors that can be potentially traced back to schizophrenia include various environmental ones, such as high-stress environments, substance use and even viral infections.
The specific cause of schizophrenia may not be discernible, but the early warning signs of the condition are—and those who observe them, in themselves or in their loved ones, are encouraged to seek clinical intervention as urgently as possible.
Get Help at our Treatment Center for Schizophrenia and Substance Use
Have you observed the early warning signs, either in yourself or in a loved one? If so, it is imperative that you seek clinical intervention. With the right mental health treatment and medical care, the symptoms can be managed, and recovery can be sustained over the course of a lifetime.
Getting that initial diagnosis and forming a treatment plan are essential. For individuals trying to manage schizophrenia and substance use disorders, WestBridge offers evidence-based treatment and real results. Learn more about the recovery process by contacting the WestBridge team today.
WestBridge provides evidence-based treatment for adults and their families experiencing mental illness with or without substance use.