Effect of Length of Stay, Referral to Aftercare, and Alcohol or Drug Abuse on Relapse in Schizophrenic Patients: A Retrospective Chart Review

The cost of care in schizophrenia is a growing problem. Past research has focused on different variables that may play a part in reducing the financial burden of this disorder. Specifically, researchers have looked at the presence of an alcohol or drug disorder, the availability of aftercare services, and how the length of stay plays a role in relapse. The purpose of this study was to explore how these three variables play a role in rehospitalization. To this end, information on primary diagnosis, psychiatric hospitalizations following the index hospitalization, alcohol and drug abuse history, and referral to aftercare was collected from a public treatment facility in southeastern Wisconsin. The results of this study found that a longer length of stay was significantly and positively correlated with a longer time until rehospitalization. No relationship with relapse was found for measures of either substance use or aftercare. Implications and limitations were discussed