Alcohol dependence in schizophrenia and legal issues

: The study was undertaken to investigate, reported in earlier studies significant link, between schizophrenia, alcohol dependence and penalty. A representative sample was selected from schizophrenic patients with diagnosis of alcohol dependence hospitalized in psychiatric hospital in Choroszcz in the period of 1998-2000. They were compared with non-alcohol-abusing control patients with schizophrenia. All subjects were assessed for life-time legal problems using detailed questionnaires, family interviews and case histories. Patients with schizophrenia and alcohol dependence engaged more often in criminal activity. Personality disorders and history of head traumas might have contributed to an increase of antisocial behavior.