The Journal of clinical psychiatry
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To present national data on the prevalence, correlates, and comorbidity of nonmedical prescription drug use and drug use disorders for sedatives, tranquilizers, opioids, and amphetamines. ⋯ Nonmedical prescription drug use and disorders are pervasive in the U.S. population and highly comorbid with other psychiatric disorders. Native Americans had significantly greater rates of nonmedical prescription drug use and drug use disorders, highlighting the need for culturally-sensitive prevention and intervention programs. Unprecedented comorbidity between nonmedical prescription drug use disorders and between nonmedical prescription drug use disorders and illicit drug use disorders suggests that the typical individual abusing or dependent on these drugs obtained them illegally, rather than through a physician. Amphetamines had the greatest abuse/dependence liability, and recent increases in the potency of illegally manufactured amphetamines may portend an epidemic in the youngest NESARC cohort.
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Review Comparative Study
Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of aggressive behavior in general adult psychiatry: A systematic review.
To systematically review the evidence for pharmacologic management of outwardly directed aggressive behavior in general adult psychiatry. ⋯ Whereas pharmacotherapy is frequently applied in aggressive patients, only weak evidence of efficacy of various drug classes was found. Consensus about the use of aggression measurement scales in clinical trials is necessary for future research. Furthermore, large-scale trials with more naturalistic designs, as opposed to classical randomized controlled trials with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, may be advisable in order to obtain results that are more generalizable to daily clinical practice.
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The use and abuse of substances-including alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, inhalants, and other drugs-are commonly found to be comorbid with psychiatric conditions in adolescents. This dual diagnosis requires special attention and treatment, especially as substance use often begins during this developmental period. ⋯ Treatment of the psychiatric disorder often helps to alleviate the substance use disorder as well. This activity discusses the epidemiology, assessment, and treatment of this dual diagnosis.