Comorbidity of Paranoid Schizophrenia and Synthetic Cannabinoid Addiction

This book offers a contemporary perspective on the clinical, dynamic, socio-psychological, and adaptive characteristics of paranoid schizophrenia when it co-occurs with synthetic cannabinoid dependence, based on a large-scale study. It also outlines targeted treatment and rehabilitation programs designed to help patients reintegrate into socially accepted, recovery-focused communities. The study found that the coexistence of these two disorders leads to significant clinical and dynamic changes in both conditions. These include a polymorphism of clinical symptoms during schizophrenia exacerbations, compounded by the addition of synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal syndrome. By the third year, the schizophrenic process often becomes continuously progressive, accompanied by a slow increase in negative psychopathological symptoms and a notable “distortion” of these symptoms. For the first time, six clinical variants of synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal syndrome are described. The book demonstrates the dominance of destructive psychological defenses, unfavorable adaptation patterns, and specific types of compensatory adaptive mechanisms.