title: Misuse of atypical antipsychotics in conjunction with alcohol and other drugs of abuse.
abstract: Non-medical use of atypical antipsychotics by substance abusers has been reported in the literature, although no detailed studies exist. Among 429 addiction treatment inpatients screened, 73 (17.0%) reported misuse of antipsychotics with alcohol, opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and/or cannabis; 39 (9.1%) within the past year. Of past year misusers, 25 (64.1%) were interviewed. Most were male (76.0%), non-Caucasian (56.0%), and polysubstance abusers (84.0%). Quetiapine, the most abused drug (96.0%), was obtained primarily from doctors (52.0%) and family/friends (48.0%). Reasons for use included to "recover" from other substances (66.7%), "enhance" the effects of other substances (25.0%), and "experiment" (20.8%). The most frequently reported positive effect was "feeling mellow" (75.0%); negative effects were consistent with antipsychotic use (e.g., feeling thirsty, trouble concentrating). Compared to a normative sample of inpatient substance abusers, ASI composite scores were higher. Findings suggest that physicians should assess for use/misuse of atypical antipsychotics among patients with addiction.
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Malekshahi
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tioleco
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Nahima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals, New York, NY, USA; Columbia University Medical Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: acampbell@chpnet.org.
authors.forename: Aimee N C
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate
keywords: Atypical antipsychotic; Inpatient detox/rehab; Misuse; Off-label; Substance abuse