Treating comorbid substance use disorders in schizophrenia

Abstract

AIM: To review the literature on pharmacological and psychosocial treatment approaches for people with schizophrenia and comorbid substance use disorder(s) (SUD). METHOD: Selective literature review. RESULTS: Despite the high prevalence of comorbid SUD among people with schizophrenia, there is a considerable paucity of rigorously conducted randomized controlled treatment trials. While there is some evidence for clozapine, and for the adjunctive use of agents such as naltrexone for comorbid alcohol dependence, the available literature largely comprises case studies, case series, open label studies and retrospective surveys. In terms of psychosocial approaches, there is reasonable consensus th..