2006-12-23 19:06:02 · 13 answers · asked by Havana Brown 5 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that often strikes young people in their late teens to early 20's. Onset is often very traumatic because what was once a person rooted in reality is now having difficulty discerning between the real world and the world controlled by their thoughts and/or hallucinations - typically "commanding voices." Alcoholism is a separate disorder which, in very late stages can damage the brain and cause psychotic features because it damages brain cells - but also in the frontal lobe region where the "seat of our judgement lies." Persons who have schizophrenia and are practicing alcoholics are often referred to as "dually diagnosed" persons because of the strong link between thought disorder sufferers and substance abuse used to try to quiet or calm the symptoms of the more serious schizophrenia symptoms.
They need to be treated separately AND together utilizing the latest anti-psychotics available for schizophrenia along with daily 12-step recovery group treatments to address the impulse control issues,lapses in an otherwise reasonable logic-based awareness and approach to treatment.
Working with a treatment team that is recognized for providing treatment for dually diagnoses clients is the best first-approach since it approaches the dual challenges through mental, physical, psychosocial, and existential challenges.
2006-12-23 19:24:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but prolonged alcohol dependence can cause a syndrome similar to schizophrenia. Alcohol hallucinosis can be very similar to schizophrenia. This usually occurs during withdrawal and does not usually last long. But schizophrenia most commonly begins in the teens up to the later 20's. Some people can develop it later. Alcohol-induced psychoses tend to develop later, after years of heavy drinking. However it's not unusual or surprising that when people begin to develop symptoms of schizophrenia they try to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs.
2006-12-23 19:27:15 · answer #2 · answered by DawnDavenport 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, as I am a recovering alcoholic of 8 yrs., and I am not schizophrenic. My ex-husband however was a schizophrenic. We did not act any where a like.
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that needs to be treated by a doctor and medication.
Alcoholism is brought on by the abuse of alcohol. We recover one day at a time and with the help and the working of the 12-Step program of AA or in-patient treatment. Personally, I went to AA and I have a strong faith in my Higher Power that helps me, and give me strength to get through one day into the next day.
But that is a good question, as some schizophrenics will use alcohol to alieve their symptoms, making the illness much worse than it has to be.
2006-12-23 22:05:21 · answer #3 · answered by Ikeg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to read about Schizophrenia go into this site. http://www.nami.org
If you want to learn about Alcoholism look for an AA site
Sometimes people with alcoholism have underlying mental illness they are trying to self medicate, but no they are not related.
Someone can have a mental illness and a substance abuse problem at the same time. It is called dual diagnosis.
2006-12-23 20:09:50 · answer #4 · answered by adobeprincess 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not that I am aware of. My grandpa was an alcholic and he wasn't schizophenic. This is not to say that a person with schizophrenia can't be an alcholic or vis versa. But I don't believe they are in anyway, related. The first one, one can not control, the other, alcholism is learned.
2006-12-23 19:18:13 · answer #5 · answered by Beth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Schizophrenia and alcoholism are separate, but those who suffer from schizophrenia may or may not abuse or depend on alcohol.
2006-12-23 19:14:32 · answer #6 · answered by x_rakkauslaulu 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO! Schizophrenia is a brain disorder with delusions & hallucinations. It disrupts thinking & communication. It can cause an anti-social disorder.It is a very serious medical problem!
2006-12-23 19:28:20 · answer #7 · answered by scoodlelou 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK my husband has it and so does my Uncle and my grandfather that died before i was born, and my son hears voices, ok does that answer your question? no its not its ganectic and alcohol actually helps, meds HELP, but dont ever make voices go away, want more advice email me I know alot,......SERIOUSLY.
2006-12-23 19:50:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but it can be related to drugs.
2006-12-23 19:31:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont believe so, if i'm correct, i think they are two separate mental illnesses.
2006-12-23 19:10:08 · answer #10 · answered by silverrubberband689 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋