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CNS Drugs
Published in: CNS Drugs 11/2008

01-11-2008 | Review Article

Pharmacological Treatment of Schizophrenia and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders

Authors: Dr David A. Smelson, Lisa Dixon, Thomas Craig, Stephen Remolina, Steven L. Batki, Noosha Niv, Richard Owen

Published in: CNS Drugs | Issue 11/2008

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Abstract

Substance abuse among individuals with schizophrenia is common and is often associated with poor clinical outcomes. Comprehensive, integrated pharmacological and psychosocial treatments have been shown to improve these outcomes. While a growing number of studies suggest that second-generation antipsychotic medications may have beneficial effects on the treatment of co-occurring sub-stance use disorders, this review suggests that the literature is still in its infancy. Few existing well controlled trials support greater efficacy of second-generation antipsychotics compared with first-generation antipsychotics or any particular second-generation antipsychotic. This article focuses on and reviews studies involving US FDA-approved medications for co-occurring substance abuse problems among individuals with schizophrenia.
Comprehensive treatment for individuals with schizophrenia and co-occurring substance use disorders must include specialized, integrated psychosocial intervention. Most approaches use some combination of cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational enhancement therapy and assertive case management. The research on antipsychotic and other pharmacological treatments is also reviewed, as well as psychosocial treatments for individuals with schizophrenia and cooccurring substance use disorders, and clinical recommendations to optimize care for this population are offered.
Footnotes
1
The use of trade names is for product identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
 
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Metadata
Title
Pharmacological Treatment of Schizophrenia and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders
Authors
Dr David A. Smelson
Lisa Dixon
Thomas Craig
Stephen Remolina
Steven L. Batki
Noosha Niv
Richard Owen
Publication date
01-11-2008
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
CNS Drugs / Issue 11/2008
Print ISSN: 1172-7047
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1934
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2165/00023210-200822110-00002

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