title: [Use of methadone in the treatment of psychotic patients with heroin dependence].
abstract: Comorbidity of psychosis and substance abuse has gained increased attention for some time. However, pharmacological treatment for opioid dependence among psychotic patients is seldom described. We present the treatment of four opioid dependent psychotic patients with methadone and antipsychotic medication. Three of the four patients had initially a period of increased psychotic symptoms, but all four patients have shown marked improvement following the introduction of methadone. Compliance with treatment has increased, they have had enduring non-psychotic periods and a markedly reduced use of illegal substances. The results should obviously be interpreted with caution, given the small number of subjects. Further research is therefore important.
authors.affiliation: Diakonhjemmets sykehus Distriktspsykiatrisk senter, Vinderen, Oslo.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Walby
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Borg
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Eikeseth
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Neegaard
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kjerpeseth
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bruvik
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Waal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone
vernacular_title: Bruk av metadon i behandlingen av heroinavhengige psykotiske pasienter.