Alcohol dependence and schizophrenia: what are the interrelationships?

The interrelationship between alcohol dependence and schizophrenia is very complex. On the one hand, chronic alcoholism alone can result in a chronic, schizophrenia-like psychosis (alcoholic hallucinosis) which cannot be distinguished from schizophrenia on the basis of psychopathological or clinical symptoms. On the other hand, recent clinical and epidemiological studies point at a significantly increased prevalence for substance abuse and dependence in schizophrenia, especially of alcohol. Pathophysiological mechanisms possibly involved in the onset of hallucinations in alcoholics and recent studies on the comorbidity of alcohol dependence and schizophrenia are discussed.