REMISSION AND RELAPSE OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA - RESULTS FROM A ONE-YEAR PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Recent studies of the effectiveness of specialized programs that treat substance use disorders in schizophrenia have obtained promising resu lts but have not involved control groups. Interpretation of these appa rently positive results is problematic because remission and relapse r ates of substance use disorders have not been reported in this populat ion. The present study reports 1-year rates of substance abuse and dep endence remission and relapse in a sample of schizophrenics taken from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area study. Results indicated that the pr evalence of substance use disorders in schizophrenia remained constant over the year primarily because rates of remission were balanced by r ates of relapse. Individuals who developed abuse or dependence over th e year were younger, male, and showed increases in depression and risk for hospitalization over the year. Individuals who remitted abuse or dependence were older, female, and showed decreases in depression over the year. Dual diagnosis treatment programs have recently reported hi gher rates of remission than were evidenced in this sample, thus provi ding preliminary support for the effectiveness of these treatments.