Guideline Watch (April 2007): Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Substance Use Disorders, 2nd Edition

Since the publication in May 2006 of APA's Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Substance Use Disorders, 2nd Edition (1), results have been reported for a multisite randomized, controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of medication, behavioral therapies, and their combinations for treatment of alcohol dependence in nonspecialty treatment settings (the COMBINE study, 2). In addition, two novel pharmacotherapies have been approved for use in the treatment of nicotine dependence (varenicline) and alcohol dependence (intramuscular naltrexone). This watch describes these developments.

(Reprinted with permission from the American Psychiatric Association: April 2007)