I read somewhere that 47% of schizophrenics have a substance abuse problem. Interested if that number is lower or higher or the same on this board. So I made a poll for this. Please be as honest as you can 
Do/did you have substance abuse problems?
0 voters
I answered no because I don’t drink and have never done drugs. But, I have an eating disorder (Bulimia) and eat for the same reasons some people do drugs…
I answered no, too, but I used to cut, which prompts a similar chemical reaction in the brain.
Yeah, I used to cut too. I still scratch and hit and bang my head… Releases endorphins and gives a peaceful feeling. You’re right, that counts too!
I’m a recovering alcoholic.
Yeah, unhealthy food right now. 
I never became addicted to substances, but then again I don’t have Schizophrenia.
I experimented with weed once or twice in college and was never a big drinker (alcohol)
I was dumb enough to to try Mescaline once - this got me started on my journey through the psychiatric system and was soon placed on Antipsychotics.
It’s frankly shocking to see so many addictions on this site - I am addicted to food and caffeine, and my last incompetent psychiatrist got me dependent on an addictive medication (Klonopin)
Substance Abuse issues interfere with the meds and worsen the course of the Mental Illness.
Even being on the wrong meds prescribed to us can seriously worsen our symptoms.
Hell yeah…I still mess with nicotine too much. Went insane with the vaporizer and had to cut it out and go to the stash of gum I had. I used to have an alcohol, weed, cigarettes, stimulants all at once problem…then it was like taking one away at a time…now it’s only stuff from the pharmacy as the docs say is okay, more like tell me to or at least ought to. I decided to try to quit the vaping, I go insane with inhaling stuff.
At one point I was taking overdoses of weightlifting powers and vasodilator pills and then cutting class to workout like an insane person…while drinking and smoking copious amounts when I wasnt in the gym.
That and excellence in college actually had rehab programs seeking me out, but they were counseling-based, so I said no. That, and I had to feeling they wanted me to do research and teach, and I had a sudden change of heart and realization of truth about research in psychology as I was wrapping up my thesis and learning the reality of pure scientists. Scientist-practitioners and scholar-practitioners in science-based scholastic work (clinical, medicinal, etc) are more in my favor…I learned that pure science with no practice is actually cutthroat and competitive, and it brought the worst out of me. I can be very cutthroat, which I want to move away from. People love to attack tough guys, by the way.
But yes, it was what landed me in treatment as a teen. I will always be an addict…it matters what I am addicted to…looks like nicotine and working. I am looking for volunteer work before classes start up, I got all my studying rusty subjects done in a week when I thought it would take a month. Waiting on the application to be processed, did immunization records and read manuals and stuff.
I notice something in my family, which the substance stuff runs deep in- addicts become workaholics sometimes. I hope my rambling about wanting something to do illustrates how the need for something, anything to satisfy an urge to feel better, can be twisted from using harmful drugs to feel better to using your gifts to feel better.
That’s all I have to say about abusing things to feel good. No need for a 120 page thesis and 5-8 more years of research to spit that so that people can understand it. It is simple and isnt worth fluffing up with bogus.
Wow it’s 47%. Just like the stat said
I said maybe, because I’ve fallen back to alcohol as one of my primary coping methods for anxiety. If I can just get over this hump/bad patch I’ll be alright.
Well, counting those that have a problem but answered no, and the ones that said maybe because if they didn’t have it they would just say no, the percentage is higher.
I USTA do drugs…I still do But the doctor gave me these…lol my attempt at sz jokes…
nicotine for me
cigs, weed, cough medicine, alcohol, etc. yep. unfortunately
Is it good or bad I can do what I was addicted to…once a week and not feel bad? Pain killers I mean…they stop me from blacking out…
how are you doing @mortimermouse I haven’t seen many of your posts of late. You are definitely an overachiever, just now in more of a good way.
Last Sunday night I abused some caffeine. I took two 200 mg pills of caffeine, and I drank two cups of instant coffee, each with a tablespoon of instant in it. I had gotten my days and nights turned around on the weekend, and when I realized I wasn’t going to sleep Sunday night I decided to stay up all day Monday, and the way I did this was by abusing caffeine and by not taking my med’s in the morning. I was kind of jittery all day Monday. When I tried to go to sleep Monday night it was looking like I was too keyed up to get sleep, but then I took the pills I hadn’t taken that morning and combined them with my nightly med’s. That finally burst the adrenaline bubble, and I was able to sleep.
I overdosed on Benadryl last night by accident. My mom has always divided up my meds for me for the week - well off meds I am taking my own. So I needed benadryl for the td symptoms after my appt. I think I took like 3 doses in two hours because I forgot I had taken any. When my parents came over they were like what drugs are you on - me mumbling cuz I can’t see or talk right…
I am sorry that this happened to you @mjgh06
Try to be more careful - even overdosing on Benadryl can be dangerous.
I take that â– â– â– â– yo go to bed