The U.S. Army's second in command, general Peter Chiarelli, stated this week that the Army needs to double its substance abuse treatment staff in order to handle increased troop demand for alcohol abuse treatment. The statement came during an interview with USA Today.

According to Army data, last year 9,199 solders enrolled in substance abuse treatment after being diagnosed with alcohol problems. This represents a 56 percent increase over 2003, when the war in Iraq started. Overall, 16,388 soldiers requested some type of counseling last year. In 2003, 5,783 enrolled in substance abuse treatment and 11,309 soldiers sought counseling.

General Chiarelli commented: "There's no doubt in my mind that since 2001 and being involved in two wars ... that we probably have a higher incidence of alcohol abuse."

According to Les McFarling, director of the Army's Substance Abuse Program, the Army treatment program is down 20 percent from its authorized staffing level of 290. McFarling says that most soldiers seek treatment for alcohol problems after an incident, such as being cited for drunk driving. In addition, alcoholism is a much larger problem than drug abuse, with approximately 85 percent of the Army treatment program's caseload being alcohol-related.

(Source: USAToday.com)

Labels: alcohol, substance abuse

Although severe stress, such as sexual abuse, early in life has been shown to increase the risk of alcohol and drug addiction later on, scientists have found that some abuse survivors carry a genetic variation that protects them from the increased risk of alcohol abuse and its effects.

Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis identified the key set of genetic variations, called the H2 haplotype, in a recent study. They believe that the finding could support the development of targeted treatments for alcohol dependence that are based on both genetic traits and history of exposure to severe stress. Scientists estimate that genetics account for about half the risk of developing alcoholism, while the other half comes from environmental factors.

Elliot C. Nelson, M.D., lead author of the study, commented: "We looked at how genes and environment interact. Our analysis included both sexual abuse and information about the DNA region that carries the H2 haplotype. People who carry that genetic pattern were protected against the risks for alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence typically associated with sexual abuse."

The researchers found that sexual abuse survivors with the alternate genetic pattern, known as the H1 haplotype, were three times more likely than study participants who had not been abused to be heavy drinkers and alcohol dependent. By contrast, participants with the H2 haplotype appeared to be completely protected from this increased risk.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

Labels: genetics, sexual abuse, substance abuse

North Carolina is home to more than 120,000 active-duty military personnel, the fourth largest concentration in the nation. According to a new report by The Coalition, a group of 40 statewide organizations that advocates for North Carolina veterans, returning troops require greater access to substance abuse treatment.

Researchers have found evidence of alcohol and substance use problems among military personnel during pre- and post-deployment. Research has also found that those military personnel who were deployed and exposed to combat were significantly more likely to experience new-onset heavy drinking, binge drinking and alcohol related problems (Jacobson et al., 2008).

Of 350,000 OEF-OIF (Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom) veterans, 16 percent were diagnosed with alcohol or other substance abuse; 4 percent with alcohol dependence; and 2 percent with other substance dependence (Eggleston et al., 2009). Research also shows that when substance abuse or dependence is combined with post-traumatic stress disorder (prevalence rates of 13-22 percent), clinical problems such as psychosocial impairment, aggression and suicide increase.

(Source: www.carolinanewswire.com)

Labels: military, substance abuse, treatment

New research indicates that medication used to treat drug addiction may be useful in treating gambling addiction.

Gambling addiction, or pathological gambling, is a condition in which a person people will continue to gamble in spite of significant negative consequences to themselves and their families. The study, conducted by Dr. Jon Grant of the University of Minnesota, indicates that pathological gamblers may respond positively to medications designed to treat impulsive or urge-driven behaviors.

Dr. Grant and his colleagues enrolled men and women with a primary diagnosis of pathological gambling into one of three medication studies. They then used tasks that measure cognition to explore the triggers and motivations for extreme gambling behavior. The researchers attempted to understand the gamblers' urges to bet in the context of two brain processes: urge and inhibition.

The researchers were able to separate pathological gamblers into two categories: those driven by urge (those who gamble when the desire to do so becomes too strong to resist), and those who lack normal inhibition of impulsive behaviors (those who cannot restrict behaviors even when urges are minimal).

Dr. Grant commented on the findings: "By understanding these different subtypes [of gamblers], we are able to target the core biology of the illness with individualized treatment. When we look at pathological gambling as an addiction and try to understand the sense of urge and inhibitions, we are able to target the treatment with medication more effectively."

The study findings were presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology's annual meeting.

(Sources: www.wiredprnews.com; www.psychcentral.com)

Labels: gambling, medication, substance abuse, treatment

New evidence suggests that using fruit flies to conduct research on the nature of addiction and substance abuse may yield some valuable insights.

According to a new study appearing online in ACS Chemical Neuroscience, scientists report that fruit flies provide a simpler and more convenient model for studying the neurological effects of cocaine abuse and abuse of other substances. The scientists state that although mammals have been useful in the study of addiction, they are relatively complex research subjects that introduce unknown variables into any research effort.

The study confirmed that fruit flies, which are biologically similar to mammals, can be reliably used to study the effects of cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as related addictive behaviors.

(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)

Labels: addiction, cocaine, substance abuse

This week, a psychiatrist with the Chestnut Ridge Center at West Virginia University Hospital, spoke to substance abuse prevention advocates about the increasing prescription painkiller problem in the state. The speech was part of the 17th annual West Virginia Statewide Substance Abuse Prevention Conference, held at the Charleston Civic Center.

The psychiatrist, Dr. Jim Berry, sees patients frequently who are struggling with painkiller addiction and who know people who have died from accidental overdoses, and it's becoming a more and more common occurrence.

Berry commented, "We've noticed a big problem with prescription pain pills. A lot of people are dying."

In 2007, West Virginia led the United States in overdose deaths. The state also experienced an increase in "poisonous deaths" from 2001 to 2006. Of these, 78 percent were considered to be accidental overdoses and most involved opioids such as oxycodone or methadone.

Berry relates that painkillers seem to be accessible to more and more people at younger and younger ages: "Nowadays, more and more people I'm seeing for detox (say they) started using opioids before they starting used anything else ... and at a very young age."

(Source: www.herald-dispatch.com)

Labels: overdose, painkillers, substance abuse

Although Americans have become more accepting of substance abuse treatment over the last few years, some experts believe that drug treatment resources in the United States are alarmingly scarce. According to data from the federal government, approximately 7.6 million Americans needed treatment for illicit drug use in 2008 and only 1.2 million (16 percent) received treatment.

Recent research clearly indicates that treating addicts, even in lengthy residential programs, is ultimately less expensive than incarcerating them. Experts are urging money-strapped states to consider expanding substance abuse treatment as a cost-saving measure. However, many states are shying away from spending on drug treatment programs in the current economic climate, and some are even cutting successful existing programs. California, for instance, has cut all but a small amount of state funding from a successful prison-diversion and treatment program that voters approved in 2000.

The appointment of treatment expert Tom McLellan as deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in April was seen by some as an indication that the Drug Czar's office will be putting more emphasis on prevention and treatment in the future.

McLellan recently commented: "For the first time, it can truly be said that we know what to do -- we know the things that work. But do we have the economic and political willingness to put them into place? If we do, we'll see results.

"Law enforcement is necessary, but it's not sufficient. You need effective preventive services, addiction and mental health services integrated with the rest of medicine. You shouldn't have to go to some squalid little place across the railroad tracks."

(Source: www.msnbc.com)

Labels: drug-abuse, substance abuse, treatment

Doug Barron has become the first player suspended by the PGA Tour for violating the tour's substance abuse policy. The 40-year-old recently became the first tour player to test positive for performance enhancers. The specific substance has not been disclosed. Barron has played eight full seasons on the PGA Tour.

In an issued statement, Barron commented on his suspension, "I would like to apologize for any negative perception of the tour or its players resulting from my suspension. I want my fellow tour members and the fans to know that I did not intend to gain an unfair competitive advantage or enhance my performance while on tour."

Golf is the latest professional sport to become embroiled in the controversy surrounding performance-enhancing substances and professional athletes.

(Source: www.examiner.com)

Labels: performance enhancers, substance abuse

According to a report released earlier this week, marijuana and crystal methamphetamine (meth) are the two most abused illicit drugs in Iowa. The report, which is compiled annually by the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy for the legislature, states that 23 percent of adults in Iowa seeking substance abuse treatment say that marijuana is their drug of choice. The percentage is even higher for youth.

Dr. Gary Kendell, the director of the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy, comments, "Marijuana continues to be a sufficient problem here in the state. In the neighborhood of 55 percent of the juveniles that are in drug treatment in our state are there because of marijuana as the primary drug of abuse."

The report also shows that alcohol accounts for 61 percent of all clients who are receiving drug treatment services, while approximately 8 percent of individuals in treatment cite meth as their drug of choice. The fastest growing form of substance abuse is prescription drug abuse; investigations of pharmaceutical cases by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement spiked by 243 percent over the past year.

(Source: www.radioiowa.com)

Labels: marijuana, methamphetamines, substance abuse

Providing substance abuse treatment to select groups of recipients could save the state of Oklahoma millions in Medicaid expenses, according to a Washington State economist. Dr. David Mancuso, a health economist with the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, testified this week to an Oklahoma House budget panel regarding the fiscal and social benefits of increasing substance abuse treatment services.

Dr. Mancuso described a program implemented in Washington State in 2005 that resulted in significant savings with fewer hospital visits and nursing home stays and declines in morbidity rates among the targeted population. The program expanded substance abuse treatment for adult Medicaid recipients who receive state-funded medical benefits. Dr. Mancuso reported that a $16.3 million state investment in the program in fiscal year 2008 resulted in a total savings to the state of more than $21 million.

He commented: "We've seen absolute declines in the per-member, per-month Medicaid costs -- even higher than we projected. What's basically happened in our state is that the debate is essentially over as to whether chemical dependency treatment will save money."

(Source: www.newsok.com)

Labels: Medicaid, substance abuse, treatment

According to a new study by the University of Maryland Center for Substance Abuse Research and the Harvard School of Medicine, Worcester County has the highest number of substance abuse arrests in the state and has more people in need of substance abuse treatment services than any other area except Baltimore City.

The study utilized data from 2001 to 2005, and the report was presented last week to state government leaders.

Local health leaders attribute the high arrest rates to the annual influx of summer visitors to Ocean City; however, the health department cites binge drinking as an increasing concern in the county, especially among residents in rural areas. The director of the Worcester County Health Department, Doris Moxley, stated that at least 50 percent of addicts discharged from treatment programs have used drugs within the last 30 days. According to Ms. Moxley, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine are the most commonly abused substances in the county.

In addition, Ms. Moxley commented that drug abuse may be increasing due to the recent economic recession, which commenced after the study period: "When people are stressed out, [drug use] tends to be one of the coping factors people use."

(Source: www.wboc.com)

Labels: alcohol, binge-drinking, cocaine, marijuana, substance abuse

More and more states are passing laws that allow prison inmates to cut their sentences if they complete a substance abuse rehabilitation program. Many states are utilizing these strategies to help relieve overcrowding in prisons and alleviate budget deficits.

But some experts worry that releasing inmates may increase crime rates, particularly if rehabilitation programs are not effective. Proponents believe that rehabilitation programs that cut sentences are successful at motivating inmates to create real change in their lives.

Rhode Island is one state that has recently adopted such a strategy. Rhode Island Corrections Director A.T. Wall, a supporter of exchanging prison time for rehabilitation, commented on the approach: "I would rather have an inmate released three weeks earlier, knowing that he had dealt with his substance abuse addictions, than waiting the three weeks and releasing him untreated."

Critics believe, however, that many inmates simply "go through the motions" to get out early.
John Murphy, executive director of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, which opposes a rehabilitation-for-time-off proposal in Ohio, commented: "If they cared about getting their rehabilitation, they'd be in this program without having this carrot dangled in front of them."

(Source: Associated Press)

Labels: addiction, rehab, substance abuse

Drug abuse is costing Scottish society 3.5 billion pounds (approximately $5.6 billion) per year.

Researchers confirm Scotland as the addiction capital of Europe -- Scottish addicts spend about 1.4 billion pounds ($2.3 billion) per year on purchasing drugs. Experts estimate that the cost of treating addicts and the impact of substance abuse on the criminal justice system adds about 2 billion pounds.

These figures, which are based on data from 2006, were generated by research conducted by the Scottish government. The data shows a 30 percent increase in the number of addicts injecting drugs since 2003.

"These figures underline all too clearly why we must continue to invest in treatment, focus that investment on the most effective range of treatment, care and rehabilitation services," said David Liddell, director of Scottish Drugs Forum, "including in areas like housing, family support and employability, and continue to address the underlying issues of poverty, deprivation and other social and health inequalities."

(Source: www.timesonline.co.uk)

Labels: addiction, substance abuse, treatment

According to a new survey by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, substance abuse disorders are linked to a higher risk for suicide.

The study results indicate that about 32,000 American adults kill themselves each year, but millions more think about suicide or even make plans to kill themselves.

Substance abuse disorders are associated with an increased risk to consider, plan or attempt suicide. Eleven percent of people with substance abuse disorders had serious thoughts of suicide, compared with 3 percent of people with no history of substance use disorders.

Individuals aged 18 to 25 are the most likely to experience suicidal thoughts.

(Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com)

Labels: substance abuse, suicide

A new study by the University of Alberta (UA) in Canada suggests that parolees with gambling problems may be more likely to commit crimes and use substances when they re-enter the community.

According to the report, gambling is prevalent in prisons and researchers found that even inmates who do not gamble habitually prior to incarceration can acquire a taste for it that they are unable to shake when they are released.

D.J. Williams and Gordon Walker, researchers from the UA Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, examined the perceptions of 15 correctional officers in the states of Nevada (a gambling state) and Utah (where gambling is illegal) on offender gambling and its impacts on offender re-entry.

Williams, the report's lead author, said he and Walker found that problem gambler offenders lack the resources and support to successfully reintegrate into the community. Correctional officers participating in the study reported that it was often assumed that other forms of treatment would address gambling problems; however, the findings show that isn't necessarily the case.

Researchers found that gambling often complicates offenders' efforts to live crime-free, and said this problem urgently needs to be addressed if parolees are to transition successfully from prison to their community.

(Source: www.eurekalert.org)

Labels: gambling, substance abuse

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has designated September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

Recovery Month is an annual observance that highlights the benefits of substance abuse treatment, applauds the contributions of treatment providers and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse in all its forms is attainable. In addition, Recovery Month celebrates people in recovery and those who assist them, and serves to educate the public that substance abuse as a national health crisis, that addiction is a treatable disease and that recovery is possible.

According to the official Recovery Month website, over the past 20 years, the month has inspired millions of people to raise awareness about addiction, share their stories of recovery and assist other who are still struggling.

According to SAMHSA, more than 23 million people in the United States needed substance abuse treatment in 2007. Many people who need treatment do not receive it, often because of social stigma or lack of access. SAMHSA estimates that, in 2007, approximately 20.8 million people who needed substance abuse treatment services did not receive help.

(Source: www.recoverymonth.gov)

Labels: recovery, substance abuse

Approximately 250,000 heroin-addicted individuals are incarcerated in the United States each year, yet many prison systems across the country still lack adequate medical treatment for heroin and opiate addiction.

Despite the fact that existing programs and research have demonstrated the social, medical and economic benefits of opiate replacement therapy (ORT), only half of all federal and state prison systems offer ORT with the medications methadone and buprenorphine, and only in very limited circumstances.

In addition, only 23 states provide treatment referrals for some inmates upon release from prison. Guidelines issued by both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say prisoners should be offered ORT for treatment of opiate dependence.

"Pharmacological treatment of opiate dependence is a proven intervention, is cost-effective and reduces drug-related disease and reincarceration rates, yet it remains underutilized in U.S. prison systems," said Amy Nunn, ScD, the study's lead author and an assistant professor of medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. "Improving correctional policies for addiction treatment could dramatically improve prisoner and community health as well as reduce both taxpayer burden and reincarceration rates."

Josiah Rich, MD, MPH, co-director of the Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights at The Miriam Hospital and Alpert Medical School, believes that addiction treatment is as crucial as treatment of other long-term chronic diseases.

"Opiate addiction, like all forms of addiction, causes long-term changes to the structure and functioning of the brain, which is why it is classified as a disease," he said. "Addiction requires treatment just as other chronic diseases, like diabetes and cancer, do. Unfortunately, there is a large gap between the number of prisoners who require addiction treatment and those who actually receive it."

(Source: www.eurekalert.com)

Labels: addiction, heroin, opiates, substance abuse, treatment

About 15 percent of full-time workers in the amusement, gambling and recreation industries admit to being heavy alcohol users, and about 10 percent report past-month illicit drug use.

According to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately three-quarters of all illicit drug users 18 and older are employed, and one industry often identified as having a high rate of illicit drug users is the gaming industry.

The SAMHSA report also revealed high rates of substance abuse among workers who service the gaming industry, including repair and maintenance workers, food and beverage workers, and landscaping workers. Among repair and maintenance workers, 11.6 percent reported past-month illicit drug use and 15.3 percent reported alcohol use.

Among food and beverage workers, 18.4 percent reported past-month illicit drug use and 12.8 percent reported heavy alcohol abuse. Among landscaping workers, 14.4 percent reported past-month illicit drug use and 16.5 percent reported heavy alcohol use.

(Source: www.indiancountrytoday.com)

Labels: alcohol, drugs, substance abuse

Authorities in Southwestern Florida are seeing a pattern of infant fatalities related to parental substance use.

Since 2008, more than a dozen child deaths in the area investigated by the state's Department of Children and Families were linked to some substance misuse by parents. One father admitted to killing his 1-month-old daughter when he rolled over on her in bed after drinking 18 beers and snorting cocaine.

The consequences to parents, however, seem to differ with every case. Some argue that the death of a child should be punishment enough, but others are pressing for greater consequences.

Bob Dekle, a University of Florida legal skills professor who worked as an assistant state attorney for three decades, commented on these cases: "Simple negligence is not enough to support a criminal charge. This is an area where reasonable people can disagree, where one state attorney's office might file charges and another might not just by general human nature of the calculus."

(Source: www.news-press.com)

Labels: cocaine, substance abuse

A 30-year-old woman who abused painkillers while pregnant and passed her addiction to her unborn daughter pleaded guilty to a charge of cruelty this week.

Anahit Dufrene of Houma, La., was arrested after doctors at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center reported to law enforcement officers that her newborn girl was suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

Dufrene's now 7-month-old daughter has been undergoing addiction treatment since birth. Dufrene's other two children have been placed in the custody of her husband's parents.

"A mother needs to be punished rather severely for making this choice for the child, who couldn't make the choice on its own," said Jason Lyons, a Terrebonne Parish assistant district attorney. "There is no crime that specifically mentions a mother who gives birth to a child who is addicted. It fits under the cruelty statute."

Dufrene may be sentenced to spend up to 10 years in jail.

(Source: www.wwltv.com)

Labels: addiction, painkillers, substance abuse

On July 30, the U.S. Navy launched a revamped drug policy and began an agency-wide crackdown on substance abusing sailors. The new policy increases by half the percentage of Navy personnel that must be randomly drug-tested each month, and requires every sailor to be screened for substance use within 72 hours of reporting to a new command.

The new policy arises out of the Navy's intent to shed the last vestiges of a culture that has historically tolerated drug abuse, and even celebrated binge-drinking. The Navy is striving to reduce substance abuse by 25 percent within the next few years.

"Until we achieve zero, I have to assume that substance abuse is out there," said Bill Flannery, director of the Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program. "In the field of prevention, if you feel like you've won, you've lost."

The new policy also includes stricter rules for dealing with sailors who repeatedly drink and drive. Under the new rules, a second DUI offense will result in expulsion from the Navy. In addition, more commands will be appointing a senior member as an alcohol and drug control officer.

(Source: signonsandiego.com)

Labels: binge-drinking, substance abuse

In a high-profile story this week, Diane Schuler, 36, of New York, drove the wrong way for nearly two miles on the Taconic State Parkway before causing a head-on collision with three men in an SUV. The crash killed Ms. Schuler, her 2-year-old daughter, her three young nieces, and the three men in the other vehicle.

Ms. Schuler's autopsy report revealed that she had consumed the equivalent of 10 drinks and smoked marijuana within an hour of the crash. A broken 1.75-liter bottle of Absolut vodka was found inside her wrecked minivan. Her blood alcohol level was more than twice the state's legal limit and she still had undigested alcohol in her stomach.

Ms. Schuler's husband denied, during a press conference, ever seeing his wife drunk during their entire marriage and refused to accept the autopsy findings. Meanwhile, families of the three men in the SUV are questioning how Schuler's family could have ignored what was, apparently, a substantial substance abuse problem. The families are considering pressing criminal charges.

Marc Galanter, director of the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse at New York University, commented: "Families are often in denial and can't deal with the reality that a family member has a problem."

(Source: Associated Press)

Labels: alcohol, marijuana, substance abuse

According to a researcher at Baylor University, certain individuals may possess a genetic predisposition to stress which may increase the chances that they will abuse drugs and/or alcohol. A cluster of genes on chromosome one was shown to respond to stress in animal models, and could be partly responsible for the alcohol and substance abuse that many people engage in as a reaction to stress.

The Baylor University researcher who discovered the link, Doug Matthews, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor, commented on the findings: "Humans report that they drink because of stress, and we've been able to identify a region on chromosome one that responds to both stress and, other studies have shown, responds to drug-taking behavior.

"So, we have reason to believe that there's a gene or a constellation of genes that might influence or control drug-taking behavior. This is a behavior that isn't a simple reflex. It involves high-level functioning -- motivation, emotion, memory -- that kind of stuff. So, what we're looking at here is a genetic vulnerability for stress that could lead to increased drug-taking."

(Source: www.wacotrib.com)

Labels: alcohol, substance abuse

Recently, several communities in North Boston have implemented collection programs for unused prescription drugs. In response to a nationwide jump in teen recreational use of prescription drugs, several communities in the area decided to provide drug disposal sites where residents could safely drop off their unused prescriptions.

According to public health officials, setting up collection spots for outdated prescriptions is an effective method to help keep the drugs from ending up in the hands of teenagers.

As part of the collection effort, several postal service mail boxes have been refurbished and placed in the lobbies of local police stations as collection receptacles. Residents can drop unused prescriptions in these boxes 24 hours a day, seven days per week. The drug take-back programs are a collaboration among law enforcement, healthcare, public health, education, and community agencies.

Joan Whitney, director of substance abuse prevention in Gloucester, commented on the trend of prescription drug use: "The national statistics are astounding. The misuse of prescription drugs is the fastest growing category of misuse nationally, with teens admitting to abusing prescription drugs. We need to limit access and provide awareness."

(Source: wickedlocal.com)

Labels: prescription-drug-abuse, substance abuse

According to a story published this week in USA Today, Army commanders are failing to seek treatment for increasing numbers of soldiers who are testing positive for substance abuse.

A May 8 memo to Army commanders from General Peter Chiarelli stated that hundreds of soldiers involved in "substance abuse-related misconduct (including multiple positive urinalyses)" were not discharged, and that many also were not referred to the Army Substance Abuse Program for help.

General Chiarelli also expressed concerns that commanders may not be addressing substance abuse-related problems because of pressure to maintain numbers of soldiers. General Chiarelli stressed that identifying and treating substance abuse problems will help improve the Army's mental health and decrease the incidence of suicide. He commented, I am asking you to ensure that soldiers are provided the help that they need when they need it ... and that regulatory requirements regarding the referral and initiation of separation processing of substance abusers are enforced."

(Source: www.usatoday.com)

Labels: substance abuse, treatment

Researchers in England have found that substance abuse significantly increases the chances that individuals with schizophrenia will commit violent crimes.

The new study included data on more than 8,000 people with schizophrenia, a serious mental illness that is known to cause delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia. The patients included in the study came from a nationwide Swedish registry of hospital admissions and criminal convictions from 1973 to 2006.

Researchers found that patients with schizophrenia were two times more likely to have committed a violent crime than the general population. Approximately 13.2 percent of patients with schizophrenia had at least one violent offense, compared to 5.3 percent of the general population. By comparison, almost 1 in 3 (28 percent) of patients with schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders had committed a violent crime, while only 8.5 percent of schizophrenics who didn't abuse substances had committed a violent offense.

The study authors commented on the findings: "We demonstrate that the risk of violent crime in schizophrenia in patients without comorbid substance abuse is only slightly increased. In contrast, the risk is substantially increased among patients with comorbidity and suggests that current practice for violence risk assessment and management in schizophrenia may need review."

(Source: www.forbes.com)

Labels: schizophrenia, substance abuse