Treating substance abuse in schizophrenia - An initial report

Schizophrenia patients show alarmingly high rates of substance use disorder s. These patients experience neurocognitive and social deficits that make i t difficult for them to benefit from effective treatment strategies designe d for less-impaired populations. Previously, we described Behavioral Treatm ent for Substance Abuse in Schizophrenia and discussed how the program was adapted for this population. Here we provide an update of BTSAS, discuss ou r clinical experience running the intervention, and review how it has chang ed over five years of development. We present attendance, participation, an d substance use data on patients who consented to attend (n = 42), complete d (n = 14), and dropped out (II = 14) of the program. Outcome data are prov ided for 14 patients, and comparisons are made between good (n = 5; greater than or equal to 67% of urine tests clean from a goal drug over 6 months) and poor (n = 9; less than or equal to 66% of urine tests clean) progress p atients. Implications for the treatment are discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sc ience Inc. All rights reserved.