Neuropsychological and EEG disturbances in polydrug users

EEG and neuropsychological evaluation of 66 polydrug users revealed that 43% had EEG abnormalities and 45% had neuropsychological impairment 3 weeks after admission to a polydrug study unit. At 5-month follow-up, 27% of 30 retested subjects were still impaired neuropsychologically. Impairment may be related to extensive involvement with sedatives, alcohol, or heavy polydrug use. The authors suggest that cerebral dysfunction in polydrug users might be the result of organicity of intermediate duration and that deficits may be experienced by some beyond 5 months of reduced use or abstinence. Organicity may dictate structured, reality-based intervention techniques, especially early in treatment.