title: Substance dependence and the use of pro re nata anxiolytic/hypnotic drugs in a hospital setting.
abstract: Patients hospitalized for treatment of psychiatric illness commonly receive pro re nata (p.r.n.) anti-anxiety and hypnotic agents. The relationship between illicit drug use and p.r.n. anti-anxiety/hypnotic drug use in hospitalized psychiatric patients has not been extensively examined. The purpose of the present study was to examine this relationship. A retrospective review of 99 randomly selected hospitalized patients abstracted information regarding the utilization of p.r.n. anxiolytic and hypnotic medications. Seventy percent of the patients surveyed evidenced substance dependence. The substance users utilized p.r.n. anxiolytics (t = 2.29, df = 81, p < .05) and bedtime hypnotics (t = 4.23, df = 90, p < .0001) more frequently than the nonusers. Hospitalized substance abusers appear to continue their substance abuse in the hospital, substituting prescription preparations for illicit drugs. Nevertheless, cumulative literature now suggests that p.r.n. anxiolytic and hypnotic agents play a critical role in the management of aggressive behavior and insomnia in patients hospitalized with psychiatric illness.
authors.affiliation: Michigan State University, USA.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: D'Mello
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Lyon
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Colenda
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D013287:Illicit Drugs