Substance use quadrupled the risk of self-harm in schizophrenia patients, with cannabis most commonly involved
Among 165 schizophrenia patients in remission, substance use disorder was associated with a 4-fold increase in non-suicidal self-injury risk, with cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids being the most commonly abused substances in the self-injury group.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Substance use disorder increased NSSI risk approximately 4-fold. The NSSI prevalence was 43.6%, with self-cutting as the most common method and affect regulation as the primary motivation. Cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids were the most commonly abused substances among patients with NSSI.
Key Numbers
165 patients. NSSI prevalence: 43.6%. Lifetime SUD rate: 38.2% overall, 55.6% in NSSI group. SUD associated with ~4-fold increase in NSSI risk. Most common substances in NSSI group: cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional study of 165 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in remission. NSSI was assessed using the Inventory of Statements About Self-injury (ISAS). Lifetime substance use disorders were evaluated. Logistic regression identified predictors.
Why This Research Matters
The finding that substance use, particularly cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids, is a modifiable risk factor for self-harm in schizophrenia patients has direct clinical implications for prevention and treatment.
The Bigger Picture
Non-suicidal self-injury is a significant predictor of future suicide attempts. Identifying and treating substance use in schizophrenia patients could reduce both NSSI and downstream suicide risk.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. The sample was limited to patients in remission, which may not represent those with active psychosis. The role of specific substances (cannabis vs. synthetic cannabinoids) was not disaggregated.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would substance use treatment reduce NSSI rates in schizophrenia patients?
- ?Do synthetic cannabinoids pose a greater self-harm risk than natural cannabis?
- ?Is the cannabis-NSSI link specific to schizophrenia or present in other psychiatric populations?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 4-fold increase in self-harm risk with substance use disorder
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: adequate sample with validated instruments, though cross-sectional and limited to patients in remission.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2020 in Asian Journal of Psychiatry.
- Original Title:
- Predicting factors for non-suicidal self-injury in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and the role of substance use.
- Published In:
- Asian journal of psychiatry, 52, 102068 (2020)
- Authors:
- Güney, Erengül, Alnıak, İzgi(2), Erkıran, Murat(3)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02594
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why do schizophrenia patients self-harm?
The most common reason reported was affect regulation, meaning patients used self-injury to manage overwhelming emotions. Previous suicide attempts were also a significant predictor of NSSI.
What was the role of cannabis specifically?
Cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids were the most commonly abused substances among schizophrenia patients who self-injured. Substance use disorder overall was associated with a 4-fold increase in self-injury risk.
Read More on RethinkTHC
- THC-amygdala-anxiety-brain
- anandamide-weed-withdrawal
- cannabinoid-receptors-recovery-time
- cannabis-developing-brain-teenagers
- cant-enjoy-anything-without-weed
- dopamine-recovery-after-quitting-weed
- endocannabinoid-system-explained-simply
- endocannabinoid-system-withdrawal
- nervous-system-weed-withdrawal-fight-flight
- teen-weed-use-under-18-effects-brain
- thc-brain-withdrawal
- thc-prefrontal-cortex-brain-effects
- weed-cortisol-stress-hormones
- weed-memory-loss-recovery
- weed-motivation-amotivational-syndrome
- weed-nervous-system-effects
- weed-reward-system-brain
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02594APA
Güney, Erengül; Alnıak, İzgi; Erkıran, Murat. (2020). Predicting factors for non-suicidal self-injury in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and the role of substance use.. Asian journal of psychiatry, 52, 102068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102068
MLA
Güney, Erengül, et al. "Predicting factors for non-suicidal self-injury in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and the role of substance use.." Asian journal of psychiatry, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102068
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Predicting factors for non-suicidal self-injury in patients ..." RTHC-02594. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/guney-2020-predicting-factors-for-nonsuicidal
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.