The medical management of adolescent heroin dependence.
The use of heroin by American adolescents is at its highest levels since the heroin epidemic of the 1960s. This clinical perspective reviews medical issues associated with adolescent heroin dependence. Older, as well as potential newer, treatments for adolescent heroin dependence are discussed. Multiple obstacles face a heroin-dependent adolescent who seeks treatment, including a lack of evidenced-based research on pharmacotheraputic agents for this population, strict restrictions on medications with demonstrated efficacy in adults, and a general lack of clinical experience in treating this population.
Rowan
A B
AB
Treatment Research Center, 3900 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. rowan_a@research.trc.upenn.edu
Fudala
P J
PJ
Mulligan
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003000:Clonidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010348:Patient Care Team; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D013565:Sympatholytics; D003000:Clonidine