Substance Use Disorders in Schizophrenia - Clinical Implications of Comorbidity

Nearly half of the people suffering from schizophrenia also present with a lifetime history of substance use disorders (SUD), a rate that is much higher than the one seen among unaffected individuals. This phenomenon suggests that the factors influencing SUD risk in schizophrenia may be more numerous and/or complex than those modulating SUD risk in the general population. It is critically important to address this comorbidity because SUD in schizophrenic patients is associated with poorer clinical outcomes and contributes significantly to their morbidity and mortality.