Pharmacotherapy for Complex Substance Use Disorders

In 2020, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that 40.3 million Americans met the criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year. Yet few FDAapproved treatments exist for SUDs—and no explicit treatment guidelines. When it comes to multiSUDs, the dearth of literature is notable. This is where Pharmacotherapy for Complex Substance Use Disorders: A Practical Guide comes in. Fifteen addiction psychiatrists have contributed to this volume, bringing their clinical experience to bear for readers that include mental health and primary care clinicians. Introductory chapters provide a necessary framework, offering an overview of SUDs; general approaches to history taking, guidelines for making a medical and a psychiatric evaluation and forming a diagnosis; and a discussion of the neurobiology of addiction.

In the subsequent chapters, the volume delves into maintenance pharmacological treatment for cooccurring substances that include:

• Alcohol

• Opioids

• Psychostimulants

• Novel psychoactive substances

Uniquely, this guide also discusses psychopharmacological approaches to working with special patient populations—adolescents, LGBTQ+ individuals, and pregnant people among them.

Filled with tables for ease of reference both when diagnosing and treating patients, and bolstered by evidence based, actionable information, Pharmacotherapy for Complex Substance Use Disorders: A Practical Guide sets itself apart as an indispensable resource for all providers aiding individuals on their journeys of recovery.