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. 2002 Oct:181:321-5.
doi: 10.1192/bjp.181.4.321.

Use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco by people with schizophrenia: case-control study

Robin G McCreadie  1 ; Scottish Comorbidity Study Group
Affiliations

Use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco by people with schizophrenia: case-control study

Robin G McCreadie et al. Br J Psychiatry. 2002 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Specialised services should be developed to help people with schizophrenia and associated substance misuse. The extent of the problem therefore needs to be known.

Aims: To determine the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco by people with schizophrenia drawn from rural, suburban and urban settings, and to compare use by general population control subjects.

Method: People with schizophrenia (n=316) and general population controls of similar gender distribution, age and postcode area of residence (n=250) were identified in rural, urban and suburban areas of Scotland. Use of drugs and alcohol was assessed by the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry, and use of tobacco by a questionnaire.

Results: More patients than controls reported problem use of drugs in the past year (22 (7%) v. 5 (2%)) and at some time before then (50 (20%) v. 15 (6%)) and problem use of alcohol in the past year (42 (17%) v. 25 (10%)) but not at some time previously (99 (40%) v. 84 (34%)). More patients were current smokers (162 (65%) v. 99 (40%)).

Conclusions: Problem use of drugs and alcohol by people with schizophrenia is greater than in the general population, but absolute numbers are small. Tobacco use is the greatest problem.

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Comment in

  • Betel use and schizophrenia.
    Kuruppuarachchi KA, Williams SS. Kuruppuarachchi KA, et al. Br J Psychiatry. 2003 May;182:455. Br J Psychiatry. 2003. PMID: 12724251 No abstract available.
  • Problem substance use and schizophrenia.
    Bates P, Rutherford J. Bates P, et al. Br J Psychiatry. 2003 May;182:455; author reply 455. Br J Psychiatry. 2003. PMID: 12724253 No abstract available.

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