Abstract
Purpose
To explore Italian psychiatrists’ attitudes toward the off‐label use of second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) in patients with substance use disorder and psychotic symptoms.
Design and Methods
A sample of 300 Italian psychiatrists associated with the Italian Society of Neuropsychopharmacology was randomly selected to complete a survey about the off‐label prescription of SGAs.
Findings
Oral aripiprazole (32.7%), olanzapine (30.2%), and quetiapine (25.2%) were considered “appropriate.” Long‐acting antipsychoticss were generally considered “inappropriate.”
Practice Implications
Our findings reflect a substantial level of uncertainty and a lack of coherent clinical guidance within the realm of dual diagnosis treatment. Therefore, they emphasize the need to develop specific guidelines to improve the management of pharmacotherapy among this population.