Pharmacotherapy for Complex Substance Use Disorders: A Comprehensive Guide

As the National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates, approximately 40.3 million Americans struggle with substance use disorders (SUDs) every year. Unfortunately, few FDA-approved treatments exist, and explicit treatment guidelines are lacking, particularly for multi-SUDs.

This knowledge gap is bridged by Pharmacotherapy for Complex Substance Use Disorders: A Practical Guide, a valuable resource contributed by 15 renowned addiction psychiatrists. This comprehensive guide is designed for mental health and primary care clinicians, providing them with the necessary framework to tackle complex SUDs.

Comprehensive Framework for Substance Use Disorders

The guide begins with introductory chapters that offer an in-depth overview of SUDs, including general guidelines for:

• Taking a thorough patient history
• Conducting a medical and psychiatric evaluation
• Forming an accurate diagnosis

These chapters also delve into the neurobiology of addiction, providing a solid foundation for understanding the intricacies of SUDs.

Maintenance Pharmacological Treatment for Co-Occurring Substances

The subsequent chapters focus on maintenance pharmacological treatment for co-occurring substances, including:

• Alcohol
• Opioids
• Psychostimulants
• Novel psychoactive substances

Psychopharmacological Approaches for Special Patient Populations

What sets this guide apart is its dedication to discussing psychopharmacological approaches for working with unique patient populations, including:

• Adolescents
• LGBTQ+ individuals
• Pregnant people

Throughout the guide, tables are provided for ease of reference when diagnosing and treating patients. This resource is bolstered by evidence-based, actionable information, making it an indispensable tool for all providers supporting individuals on their recovery journeys.

Pharmacotherapy for Complex Substance Use Disorders: A Practical Guide is published by the American Psychiatric Association Publishing and is available in English. The ISBN numbers are 9781615374953 and 9781615374960.