Quetiapine in the Successful Treatment of Schizophrenia with Comorbid Alcohol and Drug Dependence: A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Excluding nicotine and caffeine dependence, almost 50% of individuals with schizophrenia also meet the criteria for substance abuse or dependence. Comorbid drug abuse presents complications to the effective treatment of these patients because they have increased psychotic symptoms and poorer treatment compliance. CASE REPORT: This report describes thecase of a young man with schizophrenia and comorbid alcohol and cocaine abuse who was successfully treated with quetiapine. The patient was previously treated with olanzapine and developed priapism, which required emergency medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The possible utility of atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia and comorbid substance abuse needs to be confirmed in clinical trials.