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Personality disorders like schizoid personality disorder are tough enough to handle alone. Unfortunately, schizoid personality disorder frequently places individuals at risk of substance abuse or addiction due to its symptoms.
Understanding the link between schizoid personality disorder and addiction is crucial when pursuing treatment options. Below, we’ll break down both schizoid personality disorder and the effects it may have on different addiction types. In addition, we will go over potential treatment plans and pathways depending on patient needs.
Although schizoid personality disorder is rare, between 3.1% and 4.9% of the US population may have this condition to some degree or another.2 In addition, men are more likely to have ScPD than women, which is also true for other conditions related to schizophrenia.
Because schizoid personality disorder causes interpersonal stress and difficulties, people with this condition may be at a greater risk of substance abuse and addiction.
Unfortunately, substance abuse is a common coping mechanism used by those with schizoid personality disorder or other mental disorders. Nonetheless, substance use disorder (SUD) isn’t a specific risk or symptom of ScPD.
Those with ScPD might be at a greater risk of addiction or substance abuse, but not because of the symptoms of ScPD itself. Instead, they may be at a greater risk of addiction because ScPD frequently leads to other mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
Because of this additional difficulty, those suffering from ScPD might be more likely to form a substance use disorder instead. Unfortunately, excessive use or abuse of drugs and alcohol can increase withdrawal from social interactions and may even lead to future symptoms of depression and anxiety in the long term.
Making one more likely to become addicted to drugs or alcohol
Causing an individual to continue using drugs or alcohol to cope with the symptoms
Causing a person to form important emotional bonds with drugs or alcohol in place of important bonds with people
Since substance abuse is common among those with schizoid personality disorder and similar mental conditions, addiction treatment is often practiced in conjunction with ScPD treatment.
This is sometimes more challenging as regular drug abuse can hinder ScPD treatments, such as therapy. Therefore, some therapists or mental health professionals recommend dealing with addictions first and foremost before moving on to ScPD-specific treatments.
In such cases, addiction treatment centers, such as Bi-Bett, can be helpful for people to get their lives back on track. Inpatient or outpatient programs, sober living arrangements, and other solutions can help manage substance addiction and make space for therapy or other ScPD treatment techniques.
People who have schizoid personality disorder may choose alcohol more frequently than any other substance. This is partially because alcohol is easy to access compared to other drugs. Alcohol abuse can be especially dangerous for those suffering from ScPD, as alcohol can make them feel better temporarily or enhance their social lives artificially (even if this does not seem to be true from the outside).
Alternatively, individuals might use marijuana as a social crutch. Marijuana can make people seem more detached or enrich their inner lives. For example, people with schizoid personality disorder could smoke marijuana to excuse their social tendencies or make themselves feel better despite lacking meaningful social connections with other people.
Because schizoid personality disorder causes low social energy, stimulants could be dangerous. Stimulants increase energy levels and sociability, therefore, being a common coping mechanism to help them function relatively normally in society while masking their more severe symptoms.
The exact causes of addiction and schizoid personality disorder are not fully understood and are likely multivariable. For example, both addiction and ScPD are likely caused by a genetic component, meaning individuals are more likely to develop an addiction or schizoid personality disorder because one of their family members had/has it.
However, there are treatment options for ScPD. Read on to learn more about overcoming this type of disorder and the variety of treatment options.
Although schizoid personality disorder and co-occurring substance abuse can be tough to treat, they are treatable. Multiple pathways to recovery are available depending on patients’ needs and resources.
Behavioral therapy sessions may help coach those with ScPD or addictions to better modify or control their behavior. Specifically, behavioral therapy sessions could help individuals with schizoid personality disorder learn to navigate social situations or interactions more gracefully. This may minimize anxiety or depression in said interactions.
One-on-one counseling sessions can help those with ScPD get to the bottom of their symptoms and take better control over their lives. This type of therapy is most effective when patients completely trust a therapist.
Group therapy sessions could be very beneficial for those with ScPD. Many patients meet together to describe and discuss issues under therapist supervision. This social situation can help ScPD learn and master the social skills they need to thrive.
Family-focused therapy brings close family members into the therapeutic process, offering support and unconditional love throughout. Such a technique could be useful for those whose primary interpersonal conflicts come from family members.
While treating ScPD and its symptoms is important, relapse prevention is just as crucial. Relapse prevention strategies, such as regular substance control group meetings, sober living adjustments, and outpatient monitoring programs, can help addiction survivors take control over their lives and prevent backsliding at critical junctures.
As noted above, support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and 12-Step meetings may help those with schizoid personality disorder progress through their therapy with a measured, regular cadence. Structure is oftentimes very important for addiction recovery, especially for individuals suffering from comorbid conditions like ScPD and addiction.
Even after ScPD and addiction have been somewhat controlled, aftercare support is vital. Individuals with ScPD may seek aftercare support from family members and friends, therapists, and individuals they meet at support groups, such as sponsors.
Tackling comorbid personality disorders and addiction simultaneously can be difficult; however, no one has to suffer alone. By reaching out to a professional treatment center, people can find the safest and most efficient path to recovery. Our staff at The PAC Program is prepared to help you or a loved one take that journey.
The PAC Program is a fully licensed and staffed addiction treatment center that helps people get back on the path to a healthy lifestyle. We offer a variety of treatment options ranging from residential treatments to outpatient treatments to inpatient detox procedures and more. With our help, people can overcome the symptoms of addiction and find the help they need to handle their schizoid personality disorder symptoms today. Contact us for more information.
If you or a loved one needs help, please call us at
623-523-4748 and our team at Blueprints For Recovery in Arizona will help.
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