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Review
. 2019 Dec 20;40(1):arcr.v40.1.06.
doi: 10.35946/arcr.v40.1.06. eCollection 2019.

Alcohol Use Disorder and Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder

Luke Archibald  1 , Mary F Brunette  2 , Diana J Wallin  3 , Alan I Green  4
Affiliations
Review

Alcohol Use Disorder and Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder

Luke Archibald et al. Alcohol Res. .

Abstract

Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are schizophrenia spectrum disorders that cause significant disability. Among individuals who have schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is common, and it contributes to worse outcomes than for those who do not have co-occurring substance use disorder. Common neurobiological mechanisms, including dysfunction in brain reward circuitry, may explain the high rates of co-occurrence of schizophrenia and AUD or other substance use disorders. Optimal treatment combines pharmacologic intervention and other therapeutic modalities to address both the psychotic disorder and AUD. Further research on the etiology of these co-occurring disorders and on treatment of affected individuals is needed.

Keywords: addiction; alcohol; pharmacotherapy; schizoaffective disorder; schizophrenia.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial Disclosure Dr. Green has received research funding from Janssen, Novartis, and Alkermes, has served on a data monitoring board for Eli Lilly, and has served as an unpaid consultant to Otsuka and Alkermes. He is the inventor of U.S. patent 9044471, which is related to AUD treatment. Dr. Brunette has received research funding from Alkermes.

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