The use of divalproex in the treatment of addictive disorders.

To date, few medications have shown efficacy in the treatment of addictive disorders. The lack of effective treatments has led to the evaluation of a variety of pharmacotherapies to reduce alcohol or illicit drug use. The anticonvulsant agents are a class of medications that may represent novel treatments for addictive disorders. One of the most studied anticonvulsant agents in the treatment of addictive disorders has been valproate. This article will review the literature regarding the use of valproate in treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms and in reducing the use of alcohol and cocaine.