RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA AND SUBSTANCE-ABUSE

Previous work posits that severity of substance abuse and severity of schizophrenic symptoms should be linked by either or both of two mecha nisms: self-regulation of symptoms and drug-induced exacerbation of sy mptoms. Research on these relationships has yielded mixed results. We examined the interrelationships of schizophrenic symptoms and substanc e abuse in 172 patients with co-occurring disorders. Relationships wer e weak or nonexistent, without any consistent pattern. Our findings do not support the view that substances are used to self-regulate sympto ms. In addition, our results suggest that substance abuse may lead to higher rates of institutionalization through mechanisms other than by exacerbating symptoms.