Psychiatria pre prax 4/2012
Cannabis abuse in schizophrenia – risk or benefit?
The exact neurobiological relationship between the consumption of cannabis and schizophrenia has not yet been fully clarified. Literature sources express ambivalent attitudes towards the role of cannabinoids in schizophrenia. On one hand, cannabis is considered to help relieving psychosocial defects in schizophrenic patients. On the other hand, cannabis is perceived as a risk factor in the development of the disease. The illustrative case study presents a case of a 16-year-old man with a history of cannabis abuse that has newly been diagnosed with early onset schizophrenia.
Keywords: cannabis abuse, schizophrenia, psychosocial functioning.
