title: Psychopharmacotherapy for addictive and comorbid disorders: current studies.
abstract: Proper diagnosis of comorbid disorders is crucial in treatment planning for the dually diagnosed. Since psychoactive substance use can obfuscate the diagnosis, special care must be taken to exclude organically based syndromes. Adequate periods of abstinence should first be achieved and subsequently the patient re-examined for residual symptoms compatible with a nonaddictive, nonsubstance-induced psychiatric disorder. The integration of concurrent treatment of both the mental and the addictive disorders appears to be the best approach for treatment of comorbid psychiatric and addictive disorders. An abstinence-based model that typically utilizes a 12-step group therapy is often employed for the addictive illnesses. Other forms of psychosocial therapies such as case managers are being used as well. Presently, physicians' prescribing practices for comorbid addicted patients are based on traditional approaches to use of medications in psychiatric patients, and their attitudes towards addictive disorders may play a significant role in determining the overall success of treatment.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago 60612-7327, USA.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Pechter
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D019090:Case Management / Q000592:standards*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003663:Decision Trees; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs