[Compulsory abstinence: integrated treatment measure of schizophrenia combined with comorbid substance abuse]

Schizophrenia accompanied by comorbid substance use disorder is common and can complicate treatment. For the patient long-term compulsory abstinence can be seen as an extremely serious measure. Nevertheless, the measure can be justified both ethically and juridically as part of integrated treatment for psychosis and substance use disorder. We describe a case in which long-term compulsory abstinence kept the patient out of danger, increased her psychiatric stability and strengthened her autonomy.