Co-Occurring Disorders and Pharmacology

Pharmacology

General Principles for the Use of Pharmacological Agents to Treat Individuals with Co-Occurring Mental and Substance Use Disorders

This document provides general principles to assist in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of pharmacologic approaches to support the recovery of individuals with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (COD). While some research is available on prescribing pharmacologic agents to individuals diagnosed with COD, this information is not available in a brief, easy-to-use format that provides guidance to both frontline practitioners, as well as to system or program policymakers. To meet this need, the principles are organized in the sequence in which a prescriber will likely meet, engage, and intervene with an individual with COD.  The Pharmacotherapy Principles were assembled by a task order work group and finalized based on the input of an Expert Consensus Panel. Each of the principles is supported by an evidence base.

General Principles for the Use of Pharmacological Agents to Treat Individuals with Co-Occurring Mentaland Substance Use Disorders (pdf format | 610 KB)

Pharmacologic Guidelines for Treating Individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Co-Occurring Opioid Use Disorders

This document provides guidelines for pharmacologic interventions for individuals with PTSD and co-occurring opioid use disorders. Currently, there are no documents that address Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and co-occurring opioid use disorders in a brief, easy-to-use format that provides guidance to frontline practitioners, as well as to system or program policymakers. As a companion to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) General Principles for the Use of Pharmacological Agents to Treat Individuals with Co-Occurring Mental and Substance Use Disorders, these Guidelines were assembled by a task order work group and finalized based on the input of an Expert Consensus Panel. These guidelines were developed from a search of relevant, peer-reviewed literature and from practice guidelines currently in clinical use. Treatment recommendations were made if supported by more than one clinical study or randomized, doubleblind clinical trial showing the efficacy of a treatment or medication, or if a pharmacotherapy were specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of PTSD or opioid dependence. Each of the guidelines is supported by an evidence base.

Pharmacologic Guidelines for Treating Individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Co-Occurring Opioid Use Disorders (pdf format | 583 KB)