Multisubstance intoxication among schizophrenic inpatients: Reply to hyde

Abstract

The authors describe intoxication-related behavior patterns observed among 89 chronic schizophrenic inpatients over a 5-year period. These include caffeine intoxication, water intoxication, antihistamine intoxication, nicotine withdrawal, voluntary hyperventilation, and ingestion of deodorants and aerosols. Affected patients tended to abuse multiple substances in the hospital, to have generalized polydipsia, and to have histories of drug or alcohol abuse before hospitalization. Periodic intoxication in this population may be an important contributor to the refractoriness of their psychotic symptoms. © 1990 Oxford University Press.