Does Substance Abuse Lead to Schizophrenia?

Substance abuse and schizophrenia are connected through a vicious cycle. If there are people already diagnosed with schizophrenia then substance abuse can worsen their symptoms and make the treatment less effective.

Do you know about Schizophrenia? Somehow Schizophrenia and substance abuse are related. How? In today’s blog, we will study what substance abuse and schizophrenia are, how they are connected, how substance abuse leads to schizophrenia, and how a Nasha Mukti Kendra in Ghaziabad prevents and treats this issue. 

What is Substance Abuse?

Substance abuse, as the name suggests is when you abuse yourself with substances then it is called substance abuse. People nowadays use many substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, valium, etc. Since such substances affect an individual’s physical and mental health, this is treated as self-abuse.

What is Schizophrenia, Its Causes & Risks?

Schizophrenia is a mental health problem or disorder that affects how people think, feel, and behave. Its symptoms can range from hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, lack of motivation, and impact on a person’s daily life and relationships.

The causes of Schizophrenia are generally believed to be a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Its risk factors are genetics such as when there is a family history of disorder then there’s a chance you might develop the disorder too, changes in brain structure can cause schizophrenia too, then there are environmental triggers such as stress and trauma that can cause this disorder too.

How Does Substance Abuse Lead to Schizophrenia? 

Substance abuse does not directly lead to schizophrenia, but it can act as a catalyst in people who are already predisposed to this disorder.

  1. Cannabis Use – Heavy cannabis use at a young age increases the risk of developing schizophrenia. The active compound of cannabis impacts the brain’s dopamine system which implicates schizophrenia.
  2. Stimulants – Stimulants are drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine that can trigger temporary psychosis that leads to symptoms similar to schizophrenia. Chronic stimulant use can also increase the chances of developing lasting psychotic disorders.
  3. Hallucinogens & Psychedelics – Most hallucinogens can alternate our perception and thought which resembles schizophrenia. These drugs may not cause schizophrenia but they can trigger psychosis symptoms.
  4. Alcohol & Other Depressants – We all know chronic alcohol abuse leads to changes in brain function, especially in areas related to mood, memory, and cognition. Although alcohol use does not lead to schizophrenia it can worsen the symptoms.

How is Substance Abuse & Schizophrenia Connected?

Substance abuse and schizophrenia are connected through a vicious cycle. If there are people already diagnosed with schizophrenia then substance abuse can worsen their symptoms and make the treatment less effective. There are many people with schizophrenia who indulge in substance abuse, the reasons can be self-medication, social influences, and difficulty managing schizophrenia symptoms without drug use. However, substance abuse will only lead to a vicious cycle of worsening the symptoms, reducing medication effects, and bad long-term outcomes of treatments.

How Does Our Nasha Mukti Kendra in Ghaziabad Prevent & Treat This Issue?

To prevent and treat schizophrenia Nasha Mukti Kendra addresses both issues, substance abuse and schizophrenia through a holistic approach. 

  1. Early Intervention – Our rehab centre makes sure to provide early intervention to not let the issue grow and turn severe.
  2. Personalized Treatment Programs – We provide personalized treatments to each patient; the approach we use is always to aim for their holistic health.
  3. Family Support & Education – We specialize in providing family support and necessary education about these issues to the patients.

Contact Ekantar Foundation to Recover From Substance Abuse & Schizophrenia!

If you or someone you know is struggling with issues like these then contact Ekantar Foundation. Our Nasha Mukti Kendra in Ghaziabad is always present here to help them overcome their addictions and live an addiction-free life. So contact us right now and gain more information!

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