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.