History of drug abuse and dangerous behavior in inpatient schizophrenics.

The alcohol and drug use histories of 85 schizophrenic inpatients were examined in relation to measures of dangerousness while in hospital (physical and verbal assaults and episodes of seclusion and restraint). Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed significant relationships between each dangerousness measure and certain drug abuse history factors. Assault was most closely related to a drug abuse factor containing a history of blackout episodes and assaultiveness while drinking, whereas seclusion and restraint were most closely related to histories of becoming "loud" while on drugs. Overall measures of dangerousness appear to relate best to histories of becoming loud or assaultive while taking drugs.