title: The efficacy of atomoxetine as adjunctive treatment for co-morbid substance use disorders and externalizing symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined the effect of atomoxetine supplementation in treated-as-usual patients with alcohol, tobacco and other drug dependence (ATOD) and co-morbid externalizing symptoms (ES).
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were selected from a substance dependence treatment-cohort and assessed for: (a) high ES counts, (b) maximum prior period of abstinence, (c) quality of life during that period, and (d) shortest time from prior relapse to restarting treatment. Subjects were prescribed atomoxetine and followed up to their first relapse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 262 subjects screened during the study period (March-April 2008), 18 subjects who fulfilled eligibility criteria were recruited. All subjects were male, with early onset of substance dependence to at least two substances. Atomoxetine treatment led to significant treatment benefits: ES reduction, longer abstinence, shorter turnaround time and better quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atomoxetine has a potential role in the treatment of early onset ATOD patients with ES, as an adjuvant to the standard treatment.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore 560029, India.
authors: Vivek
authors: V
authors: Benegal
authors: Biju
authors: B
authors: Viswanath
authors: Janardhanan C
authors: JC
authors: Narayanaswamy
authors: Sam P
authors: SP
authors: Jose
authors: Vaskar
authors: V
authors: Chakraborty
authors: Deepa
authors: D
authors: Sankar
authors: Thennarasu
authors: T
authors: Kandavel
authors: Muralidharan
authors: M
authors: Kesavan
mesh_terms: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D011437:Propylamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D011437:Propylamines; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride
keywords: ADHD; Atomoxetine; Comorbid; Diathesis; Externalizing; Substance