FAQ: DO I have to stay on medication?

April 10, 2025
Here at the UCLA Aftercare Program, medication is a part of our treatment regime. While you do not have to be on medication to enter the program, we believe taking antipsychotic medication is vital to your treatment because it reduces symptoms.
Antipsychotic medications play a pivotal role in managing conditions like schizophrenia. They are primarily effective in reducing positive symptoms of psychosis, such as delusions and hallucinations. There is some evidence, although mixed, that antipsychotic medications can improve negative symptoms and cognitive impairment.
Adherence to prescribed antipsychotic medication is crucial for preventing relapse and maintaining stability in individuals with these conditions. Discontinuation is associated with higher rates of relapse and hospitalization.
While medications are essential in our interventions, the selection of medication and dosage is chosen in a collaboration between you and your Aftercare Program psychiatrist.