Book Overview - schizophrenia.life

THE CANDID BOOK 2

For families of people living with schizophrenia and substance use disorders

by Peter Falkai, Néstor Szerman, János Kálmán, Mihaela Osadcii

The Candid Book 2 is the second one in a series created to provide frank and reliable information for everyone who cares about a person living with schizophrenia. The first volume from this series is conceptualized to support the audience in understanding the illness itself and in guiding families through the real-life journey of caring.

The Candid Book 2 is dedicated to a frequent and demanding reality: schizophrenia that co-exists with substance use. Its goal is to deliver genuine, evidence-based information and practical recommendations kindly provided by renowned experts in the mental health field.

What you will find inside the candid book 2

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

(Chapters 1-6)

How schizophrenia and substance use interact

Effects of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, and their impact on the person’s mental and general health

Why integrated care outperforms treating each issue separately

HANDS-ON CAREGIVING GUIDANCE

(Chapters 7-8)

Useful tips for

Crisis management, relapse prevention, and medication adherence

Holding conversations, addressing sensitive topics, and fostering trusting communication

CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER

(Chapters 9-10)

Useful tips for

Caregiver self-care and stress-management

Real-life stories about real people living with co-occurring schizophrenia and substance use, revealing early hurdles, ongoing challenges, and the shared successes possible through coordinated efforts.

Explore book chapters

Chapter 1.

Beyond coincidence:

when schizophrenia coexists with substance use disorders

Chapter 2.

Facing dual challenge

Chapter 3.

Tobacco use in schizophrenia

Chapter 4.

Alcohol use in schizophrenia

Chapter 5.

Cannabis use in Schizophrenia

Chapter 6.

Stimulant use disorder in schizophrenia

Chapter 7.

Supporting the journey

Chapter 8.

Words that connect

Chapter 9.

Support for supporters

Chapter 10.

Real-life stories

Who this book is for

Parents, partners, siblings, close friends, professional carers, and health-care providers will find up-to-date facts, actionable advice, and real-life examples that help manage the fused challenges of schizophrenia and substance use.

The Candid Book 2 is designed to help you:

SEE THE WHOLE PICTURE

Understand why mental disorders and substance use so often travel together, what drives the connection, and how it impacts treatment and recovery.

RELY ON EXPERT INSIGHTS

Each chapter is based on the expertise of internationally recognised specialists in mental health, so you can act on advice you can trust.

WORK WITH YOUR LOVED ONE

Find information and practical recommendations to support the implementation of a tailored treatment plan, relapse prevention, and crisis handling.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

Being in the middle of all the responsibilities and challenges, an important aspect is to take care of your own physical and emotional well-being. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s vital for keeping yourself healthy and continuing to support those who need you.

LEARN FROM REAL STORIES

Real-life cases provide examples of how other families face setbacks, seize small victories, and keep moving forward.

Guiding principles

NO BLAME, NO SHAME

Schizophrenia and substance use are mental health conditions, not moral failures.

INTEGRATED CARE

A personalised treatment plan that addresses both schizophrenia and substance use disorders together works better than managing each condition separately.

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Progress comes faster when health care providers, individuals, and families work as one team.

CARE FOR CARERS

Education, respite, support, and self-care are essential for caregivers.

Meet the Authors

Prof. Peter Falkai is a Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital Munich, Germany and Chair of the Max-Planck Institute for Psychiatry. He has worked in the field of psychiatry for over 30 years, with a primary research focus on the neurobiology of psychotic disorders, particularly schizophrenia.

Dr. Néstor Szerman is internationally acknowledged for pioneering work in addictions and dual disorders. His current appointments include President of the World Association on Dual Disorders (2024–2027), Chair of the World Psychiatric Association Section on Dual Disorders, President of the Dual Disorders Foundation, and senior researcher within the Neurosciences and Mental Health Research Group of the Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute in Madrid.

Prof. János Kálmán is head of the Department of Psychiatry at the Albert Szent- Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Hungary, since 2014. His clinical and academic career spans over four decades, encompassing service in the Clinical Neuroscience Board of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the national psychiatric panel, and the Hungarian Psychiatric Association.

Mihaela Osadcii holds a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and Mental Health from the University of Sussex. Her research dissertation examined the neural mechanisms underlying conditioned responses to drug-related environments. She has clinical experience as a psychological support worker at Conifer Lodge and Venture-People, residential care facilities in Brighton, UK, for adults experiencing and recovering from mental health difficulties, as well as related needs and comorbidities.

Authors about the book

Prof. Néstor Szerman

‘Not a choice: compassion and professional support over blame in dual schizophrenia’

Prof. Peter Falkai

‘The Triangle of Care: Integrated Treatment with Families at the Centre’

Prof. János Kálmán

‘The “uninvited guests”: treating schizophrenia and its comorbidities’

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