Cannabis use linked to repeated hospital admissions, severe symptoms and relapse in psychosis study.
Cannabis use among people living with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders could be linked to a more difficult and disruptive course of illness, with researchers warning that those who use cannabis may experience earlier symptoms, more severe illness and a greater risk of relapse.
A study published in the South African Journal of Psychiatry examined the records of patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital and found that cannabis use was common among people diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.
The researchers found that 48.9% of patients were current cannabis users, while 51.1% had used cannabis at some point in their lives.
The findings are particularly significant in SA, where cannabis use has been common among people experiencing psychotic illness and where the personal use of cannabis was decriminalised before the study was conducted.
