ABSTRACT
This chapter provides information and guidance for best practice in using medications to treat mental health–substance use disorders. It presents general principles and specific recommendations. All professionals, especially prescribers, should anticipate that any person seen for a psychopharmacological evaluation for a mental illness may also have one or more substance use disorders, and any person seen for a psychopharmacologic or medical evaluation for substance use disorder may have a mental health condition. Consultation is both a clinical support and a risk management strategy when faced with ethical or legal concerns. Psychopharmacological treatments can also be adapted to, and adopted for, the particular combination of disorder type and severity. Pharmacological practice will depend on the individual’s phase of recovery and stage of change. Psychopharmacological treatments, such as antipsychotics for acute psychosis or benzodiazepines for severe alcohol withdrawal, are critical elements in any safety plan to enable individuals to establish behavioural control.
