Substance use
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Medication for dual diagnosis

What is dual diagnosis in bipolar disorder?

Several treatments have been targeted to people with ‘dual diagnosis’, which is having both a psychiatric disorder and a substance use disorder. Studies investigate the availability and effectiveness of treatments for either diagnosis, including symptom severity, substance use, social functioning, quality of life, and also, cognition.

What is the evidence for treatments for dual diagnosis?

Moderate to high quality evidence quetiapine significantly improved manic symptoms, but not depression symptoms compared to placebo. There were no effects for mania or depression of mood stabilisers, citicoline, or acamprosate compared to placebo. Lower quality evidence from small trials suggests the anticonvulsants valproate and lamotrigine may also improve mood and reduce substance use.

November 2021

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Last updated at: 5:32 pm, 15th February 2022
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Fact Sheet Technical Commentary
Tags:  Dual diagnosis

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