Schizophrenia and Addiction

Schizophrenia is often misunderstood, with misconceptions painting an inaccurate picture of the condition. It is not about split personalities or simply hearing voices –  schizophrenia is a profound mental health disorder that can harm every aspect of life. For those struggling with both schizophrenia and addiction, it can be a deeply distressing experience. But even in the darkest moments, there is a proven path to relief and recovery. At Oasis Runcorn, we specialise in helping people with both schizophrenia and addiction find peace and stability, offering the support you need to reclaim your life.

man in Schizophrenia

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder that affects how you think, feel and behave, often making the world feel like a confusing place. It is a long-term and often lifelong condition that affects about 0.3% of people and 0.45% of adults globally.

Schizophrenia is now understood to be a spectrum disorder which means schizophrenia symptoms and the severity of those symptoms are different for everyone. This understanding can also help with the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia symptoms can include hearing or seeing things that aren’t there, extreme anxiety and paranoia and intense fear of the world. Unfortunately, there is still a huge amount of misunderstanding about schizophrenia, and the stigma can sometimes stop people from reaching out for help.

What are the different types of schizophrenia?

As schizophrenia is now known to be a spectrum disorder, diagnosing different types of schizophrenia is not always useful or accurate. Many people fall between two or three of the previously defined types, with symptoms that don’t quite fit into any single type. However, looking at how the different types of schizophrenia were previously understood can still help in grasping the wide range of experiences people can have:

Paranoid schizophrenia

Strong feelings of suspicion and fear characterise paranoid schizophrenia. People with this type often experience delusions, where they believe things that aren’t true and auditory hallucinations, like hearing voices that don’t exist.

Disorganised schizophrenia

Disorganised schizophrenia involves confused thinking, jumbled speech and inappropriate emotions, which can make behaviour erratic. These issues can make it difficult to stay on topic during conversations or even take care of yourself.

Catatonic schizophrenia

Catatonic schizophrenia is marked by extreme physical symptoms as the body and mind seem disconnected from what is happening around them. Some people may stay frozen in one position for hours, while others may have had periods of excessive movement that seem almost robotic.

Undifferentiated schizophrenia

Undifferentiated schizophrenia was a catch-all category for those who didn’t fit neatly into the other types. People with this diagnosis might have had schizophrenia symptoms from more than one type, like paranoia combined with disorganised thoughts or catatonic behaviours mixed with delusions.

Residual schizophrenia

Residual schizophrenia describes a stage where the more intense symptoms, like hallucinations or delusions, have faded, but the person still struggles with less obvious issues. These might include a lack of motivation, flat emotions or finding nothing in life satisfying.

What causes schizophrenia?

While we still don’t know for sure exactly what causes schizophrenia, it is believed to be a mix of several different things coming together.

For some, schizophrenia might start with their genes. If there is a history of mental health issues in the family, the chances of developing schizophrenia might be a little higher.

But genes alone aren’t the full story. Stressful life events, trauma or even challenges during birth can all play a role in triggering schizophrenia in someone who is already vulnerable.

Brain chemistry may also play a role in the development of schizophrenia. The brain is an incredibly complex machine, and when its chemical messengers aren’t working quite right, it can lead to the confusing and often frightening symptoms of schizophrenia.

Sad woman sitting on the floor

What is the relationship between schizophrenia and addiction?

There is a strong link between schizophrenia and addiction with one study finding that 47% of schizophrenia sufferers also have substance abuse disorders. Co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders are called a dual diagnosis and dealing with both schizophrenia and addiction at the same time can be like fighting a fire with petrol.

If you are living with schizophrenia, you might be tempted to turn to drugs or alcohol to escape the confusing and scary schizophrenia symptoms. But here’s the tricky part: while substances might seem to help at first, they can actually make things much worse over time. Drinking or using drugs can intensify your schizophrenia symptoms or even add new ones, making your life even tougher.

Some drugs are even known to trigger schizophrenia. For example, research has shown that there is a strong link between the onset of schizophrenia and weed use, especially if you are already vulnerable. Cannabis can also ramp up symptoms like paranoia, hallucinations and delusions​.

Some schizophrenia medicines may even be potentially addictive themselves. Antipsychotic medicines like quetiapine help to bring some stability and relief from intense schizophrenia symptoms but its sedative effects can lead to dependence.

What do schizophrenia and addiction treatment involve?

Tackling schizophrenia and addiction at the same time can be a real challenge but it is absolutely possible.

At Oasis Runcorn, we focus on helping you get sober while also managing the schizophrenia symptoms that can make recovery even more challenging.

Here are some of the most effective rehab treatment approaches we use:

Group therapy
Think of group therapy as a team effort. Others are walking the same path, and you can help each other find a way forward together. It is about sharing, supporting and realising that no matter how tough things may seem, someone else gets it.
Individual counselling
Sometimes, you just need a quiet space to sort through the chaos. In individual therapy, it is just you and your therapist, digging into what is really going on and figuring out how to move forward. It is your time to speak up, be heard and start making sense of it all.
Behavioural therapies
Schizophrenia can mess with your thoughts in a big way and when you add the noise of addiction, your own mind can be a deafening place. Therapies like CBT and DBT are here to create space in those negative thought cycles so you can handle whatever life throws your way.
Family therapy
Schizophrenia and addiction can put a real strain on your relationships, and family therapy is a safe space to rebuild those connections. It helps everyone get on the same page, understand each other’s pain and work together to heal as a family.
Holistic therapies
Sometimes, you need to step back from the chaos and just breathe. Holistic therapies like yoga, meditation, sound and art can help you find some peace amidst the turbulence. They can help you feel good at the moment and build strength and resilience for the long haul.
Ongoing support post-rehab
Your journey doesn’t end when you walk out of rehab and we make sure you stay on track with ongoing support. We provide free weekly group sessions to all our clients, a relapse prevention plan tailored just for you and membership to our exclusive Alumni Network. All of this keeps you accountable, supported and ready for any challenges you may face.

Get help for schizophrenia and addiction today

You deserve a life free from the chains of schizophrenia and addiction. Oasis Runcorn has the key you need to unlock those changes and make that whole new life a reality. Reach out today and take back control of your future.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is schizophrenia diagnosed?
Schizophrenia is diagnosed through a detailed evaluation by a mental health professional. This process involves discussing your potential schizophrenia symptoms, how long you have had them and how they affect your life. Medical tests may also be done to rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. The goal is to understand your experience fully so that you can provide the best treatment.
What is the link between schizophrenia and suicide?
People with schizophrenia are at a higher risk of suicide due to the intense and often overwhelming symptoms they experience. Research has found that 5-13% of people with people with schizophrenia tragically take their own lives. However, with the right treatment and support, the risk can be significantly reduced.
What addictions are commonly associated with schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is often linked with addictions like alcohol, cannabis and other drugs, as people may use these substances to cope with their symptoms. Unfortunately, these addictions can worsen schizophrenia symptoms, making everyday life and recovery attempts harder. The right treatment can help break this cycle and offer healthier ways to manage the condition.

(Click here to see works cited)

  • National Institute of Mental Health. “Schizophrenia – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).” National Institute of Mental Health, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia. Accessed 30 August 2024.
  • UK Rehab. “Dual Diagnosis | Co-Occurring Disorders.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/mental-health/dual-diagonosis/. Accessed 30 August 2024.
  • UK Rehab. “Schizophrenia and Addiction | Mental Health and Addiction.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/mental-health/schizophrenia-and-addiction/. Accessed 30 August 2024.
  • Winklbaur, Bernadette et al. “Substance abuse in patients with schizophrenia.” Dialogues in clinical neuroscience vol. 8,1 (2006): 37-43. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2006.8.1/bwinklbaur. Accessed 30 August 2024.
  • Khokhar, Jibran Y et al. “The link between schizophrenia and substance use disorder: A unifying hypothesis.” Schizophrenia research vol. 194 (2018): 78-85. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2017.04.016. Accessed 30 August 2024.
  • World Health Organization (WHO). “Schizophrenia.” World Health Organization (WHO), 10 January 2022, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia. Accessed 30 August 2024.
  • Pompili, Maurizio et al. “Suicide risk in schizophrenia: learning from the past to change the future.” Annals of general psychiatry vol. 6 10. 16 Mar. 2007, doi:10.1186/1744-859X-6-10. Accessed 30 August 2024.
  • Kim, Sean et al. “Quetiapine Misuse and Abuse: Is it an Atypical Paradigm of Drug Seeking Behavior?.” Journal of research in pharmacy practice vol. 6,1 (2017): 12-15. doi:10.4103/2279-042X.200987. Accessed 30 August 2024.