title: Risperidone decreases craving and relapses in individuals with schizophrenia and cocaine dependence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the efficacy of atypical neuroleptics for decreasing craving and drug relapses during protracted withdrawal in individuals dually diagnosed with schizophrenia and cocaine dependence.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a 6-week, open-label pilot study comparing risperidone with typical neuroleptics in a sample of withdrawn cocaine-dependent schizophrenia patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preliminary results suggest that individuals treated with risperidone had significantly less cue-elicited craving and substance abuse relapses at study completion. Further, they showed a trend toward a greater reduction in negative and global symptoms of schizophrenia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atypical neuroleptics may help reduce craving and relapses in this population. Future research should include more rigorous double-blind placebo-controlled studies with this class of medications.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018967:Risperidone