Comorbidityschizophrenia and Psychoactive Substances Use

The psychoactive substance use (SPU) is a very common comorbidity in schizophrenia; it poses the problem diagnosis, therapeutic as well as frequent relapses and long-term hospitalizations. The objective of our study is to study the frequency of this co-morbidity in patients with schizophrenia, to determine its consequences and itsriskfactors. This is a cross-sectional study of 226 cases of patients with schizophrenia in hospital in the psychiatric Department of CHU Mohammed VI in Marrakech between January 1, 2017 and October 31, 2018. The mean age is 27.02 ( 9.4) years, with a male predominance of 67.2 %, paranoidschizophreniawas the most common form 46.9 %. SPA use was present in 63.7 % of cases ; cannabis was the most consumed substance (54.8 %), followed by alcohol (21.2 %), then benzodiazepines (15.9 %). The use of spas preceded schizophreniain 49.5 % of cases. Users of psychoactive substances are characterized by male predominance 46 %, early on set of schizophrenia, and acute entry mode. The positive psychotic symptoms were more severe with a higher number of criminal records, and suicidal attempts. Patients who are users of psychoactive substances have poor therapeutic adherence, and a higher number of hospitalizations and stop treatment.