Low-Dose Clozapine Reduces Aggression in Violent Substance Use Disorder Patients at a Secure Rehabilitation Center.

Abstract

Managing aggressive behaviors in patients with substance use disorders (SUDs), particularly when accompanied by comorbid psychiatric disorders, presents considerable challenges. Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic known for its effectiveness in treatment-resistant schizophrenia with evidence in support of its ability to reduce violent and aggressive behaviors. This case report describes two patients who were treated with clozapine and showed reduction in violent behaviors, as well as improvement in addiction issues during their stay in a secure rehabilitation center. This observation suggests that clozapine may offer considerable benefits in managing aggression in SUD patients with co-occurring psychiatric illness and highlights the need for further research to assess its broader applicability in complex cases beyond treatment resistant schizophrenia.