Some evidence suggests that co-occurring somatic disorders are higher in the dually diagnosed population and that premature death may be more likely (Beijer et al., 2007; Dickey et al., 2004; Dickey et al., 2002; Maynard et al., 2004). However, the impact of alcohol and illicit drug use, particularly cannabis, which is widely used, on mortality risk remains unknown in the psychotic disorders (PD) population. This is critical to determine because the average life expectancy in schizophrenia is already about 20–25 years shorter than the general population (Colton & Manderscheid, 2006; Harris & Barraclough, 1998; Newman & Bland, 1991). The objective of this study was to examine the impact of substance use on mortality in a large cohort of people with PD and alcohol and/or drug use.
