Abstract
A total of 39 schizophrenic patients with a history of current cannabis abuse at index admission was compared with a control group of schizophrenics without substance abuse matched for age, gender, and year of admission. At follow-up after 68.7 ± 28.3 months, 27/ 39 cases and 26/39 controls could be investigated. 8/27 cases (30%) had continued cannabis abuse, 6/27 (22%) had become alcohol abusers. Only one patient of the control group had started abusing alcohol. Patients with previous cannabis abuse had significantly more rehospitalizations, tended to worse psychosocial functioning, and scored significantly higher on the psychopathological syndromes “thought disturbance” (BPRS) and “hostility” (AMDP). These results confirm the major impact of cannabis abuse on the long-term outcome of schizophrenic patients.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 16 December 1997 / Accepted: 19 November 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Caspari, D. Cannabis and schizophrenia: results of a follow-up study. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 249, 45–49 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004060050064
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004060050064