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Long-term adjunctive quetiapine may reduce substance use--a preliminary retrospective study
S Pirzada Sattar1, Susan K Schultz, Stephen Arndt
1Avera McKennan Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
Summary
Adjunctive quetiapine may help maintain sobriety in patients with co-occurring anxiety and substance use disorders. Long-term use showed sustained reduction in anxiety, depression, and cravings, leading to complete sobriety in most participants.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Anxiety disorders frequently co-occur with substance use disorders, complicating treatment and increasing relapse risk.
- Integrated treatment of both conditions is crucial for optimal outcomes.
- Atypical antipsychotics, including quetiapine, show potential in reducing substance abuse, but long-term data are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term (one-year) effects of quetiapine as an adjunctive treatment for substance abuse in patients with severe anxiety symptoms.
- To assess the impact of quetiapine on anxiety, depression, cravings, and substance use over a 12-month period.
Main Methods:
- A follow-up study assessed patients previously treated with adjunctive quetiapine for anxiety and substance use disorders.
- Data collected included patient-reported symptoms, cravings, and substance use, corroborated by random breathalyzer and urine drug screening.
- The assessment occurred one year after the initial treatment period.
Main Results:
- Six out of nine patients maintained quetiapine treatment for 12 months.
- These patients reported sustained sobriety, confirmed by drug screening.
- Significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and cravings for alcohol and drugs were observed.
Conclusions:
- Adjunctive quetiapine may be a viable long-term option for managing substance use in patients with co-occurring anxiety symptoms.
- Quetiapine use was associated with reduced cravings and sustained sobriety.
- Further research into long-term benefits of atypical antipsychotics for substance use disorders is warranted.
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