Researchers are also accumulating
longitudinal data regarding the course
and outcome of co-occurring schizophrenia
and AUD. Short-term studies lasting
1 year or less of patients in traditional
mental health treatment systems indicate
that they are prone to negative outcomes,
such as continuing alcohol abuse or
dependence, high rates of homelessness,
disruptive behavior, psychiatric
hospitalization, victimization, and incarceration.
For example, one typical study
of outpatients with schizophrenia found
that those with co-occurring AUD had
higher rates of hospitalization and depression
compared with those with schizophrenia
only (Cuffel and Chase 1994).