Antipsychotics use in drug abuse

Abstract

A review was carried out into the literature of the last ten (Medline, IME, HealthSTAR, Cinahl) on the use of antipsychotic drugs in substance abusers. The use of these drugs is common in this population because of the high prevalence of psychotic pathologies among substance abusers and they are used in the treatment of situations derived from the consumption of certain substances and in secondary behavioural disorders following organic mental disorders or personality disorders.

The special characteristics for the use of these drugs among addicts are reviewed as these patientes tend to present adverse side-effects with greater frequency, for example, extrapyramidal symptoms and less compliance with treatment.