ABSTRACT
Alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence is extraordinarily common. Depending on the study and the definitions used, the prevalence of alcohol abuse and dependence ranges from 10 to 16 percent of the American population (28 percent in men and 8 percent in women).1-4 There is also a strong overlap of persons with an alcohol use disorder and a comorbid mental disorder, this being as high as 53 percent in one study.4 Individuals with both a mental disorder and a substance abuse disorder (commonly called dual diagnosis patients) present a clinical challenge to all healthcare professionals, and particularly to a clinician prescribing psychotropic medication. This chapter will focus on interactions between psychotropic medications and alcohol, and the ways that psychotropics are used in alcohol abuse. Specifically, the following areas are covered:
■ Routine warnings regarding alcohol use and psychotropics in the nonsubstance abusing patient
■ Warning signs to the clinician of possible alcohol abuse ■ Comorbid alcohol abuse and mental health prescription ■ Evaluation issues with the intoxicated patient ■ Psychotropics and the treatment of alcohol abuse.
