Pharmacotherapies for adolescent substance use disorders.
There is a paucity of research on pharmacotherapies in adolescents with substance use disorders. This paucity is partly because of the fact that most people with substance dependence do not get diagnosed until early adulthood, that is, after 18 years of age. This article reviews pharmacotherapies used for aversion, substitution, anti-craving, and detoxification of alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, and opioids dependence. Adult research is referenced when applicable and generalized to adolescents with caution. Continued evaluation and development of pharmacotherapy for youth in controlled studies are needed to examine medication effectiveness, safety, potential for abuse, compliance, and potential interactions with other medications or substances of abuse.
Simkin
Deborah R
DR
Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University South Alabama College of Medicine, AL, USA. Deb62288@aol.com
Grenoble
Severin
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000188:drug therapy; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D004221:Disulfiram; D008691:Methadone