STIMULANT USE DISORDER IN SCHIZOPHRENIA
This chapter explains how psychostimulants affect the brain and body, and how to recognize the signs of stimulant use disorder, intoxication, and withdrawal among people with schizophrenia. It also discusses the challenges and possibilities in managing these dual disorders effectively.
Fast Facts
Stimulants supercharge the brain: Psychostimulants, like methamphetamine and cocaine, flood the brain with feel-good chemicals, boosting energy, pleasure, and alertness. But over time, they take over the brain’s reward system, leading to addiction, risky behavior, and lasting mental health challenges.
Stimulants and Schizophrenia: For people with schizophrenia, stimulants worsen symptoms and blur the line between drug-induced psychosis and the illness itself. Treating both together is key.
Beyond addiction: From psychosis to heart disease and even prenatal risks, stimulant use affects not just the individual but families and entire communities.
Reducing drug urges: Antipsychotic medications may ease drug cravings in people with both schizophrenia and substance use disorders, offering a potential path to better treatment.
