substance abuse with schizophrenia

Substance abuse and schizophrenia are two separate conditions, but there is a high rate of comorbidity between them, meaning that people with schizophrenia are more likely to develop substance abuse disorders than the general population. Substance abuse can exacerbate the symptoms of schizophrenia, and make treatment more difficult. Additionally, substance abuse can interfere with the effectiveness of medication used to treat schizophrenia. Treatment for both conditions typically involves a combination of medication, therapy, and support services.