Comorbid substance use in schizophrenic patients is common, and substance dependence is a predictive factor for psychosis. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of risperidone, quetiapine and ziprasidone, atypical antipsychotic drugs, on ethanol withdrawal syndrome (EWS) in rats. Adult male Wistar rats were used in the study. Ethanol (7.2%, v/v) was given to rats via a liqui...

the mechanisms of drug dependence and rewarding properties of opiates are not exactly known and several neurotransmitters seem to be involved. it is possible that the rennin-angiotensin system could interact with the opioid system, since it has been shown that angiotensin ii(ang) and ace inhibitors have analgesic, anticonvulsant and antidepression effects and in some cases they could antagonize...

OBJECTIVE Rooming-in, the practice of caring for mother and newborn together in the same room immediately from birth, is preferred for the general postpartum population but is not yet standard practice of care for newborns of substance-using women. Such newborns are usually separated from their mothers and admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit and treated for substance withdrawal if necess...

OBJECTIVE Substance use disorders are prevalent in emergency departments in medical and psychiatric services, reaching rates of 28% of cases in medical emergency departments. However, professionals in the emergency department identify less than 50% of cases of alcohol-related problems. This article aims to provide evidence-based interventions for the specific treatment to patients who meet diag...

Ethanol, illicit drugs, and prescription drugs used for nonmedical purposes are a significant medical as well as social problem. The 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 22.7% of Americans, or 55 million individuals, were binge drinkers, which includes 16 million heavy drinkers (five or more drinks on the same occasion at least 5 different days in the prior 30 days) (1). Pain ...

Adolescence is a period of emotional instability, during which high risk behavior including experimentation with drugs common. Clinical manifestations substance abuse and its withdrawal may mimic common illnesses. We report an adolescent who presented acute dysentery unusual course. HEADSS screening revealed psychosocial stressors leading to cannabis addiction. The child was diagnosed have with...

Mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorders, are the most common psychiatric comorbidities among patients with substance use disorders. Treating patients' co-occurring mood disorders may reduce their substance craving and taking and enhance their overall outcomes. A methodical, staged screening and assessment can ease the diagnostic challenge of distinguishing symptoms of affecti...

Substance abuse continues to increase the burden on the health care system. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR), substance abuse and dependence disorders are now combined into substance use disorders. Substance abuse refers to a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress manife...