ABSTRACT
Substance use disorder is common in persons with schizophrenia. The Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA) study found rates of lifetime substance use disorder to be 47% among people with schizophrenia, compared with only 16.7% in the general population (Regier et al., 1990). Similar lifetime prevalence rates have been reported by others (Mueser et al., 1990, 1992, 2000). Rates of current substance use disorder are lower but still substantial, with most estimates between 25% and 35% (Mueser et al., 1995). Substance use disorder in schizophrenia has been associated with a wide range of negative outcomes, including psychiatric relapse and rehospitalization (Drake et al., 1989), homelessness (Caton et al., 1994), and greater service utilization and costs (Battels et al., 1993).
