Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

Typical antipsychotic medications have been phased out primarily due to:

1. Their low efficacy

2. High costs

3. Significant side effects

4. Lack of availability

The correct answer is: Significant side effects

Typical antipsychotic medications have indeed been phased out primarily due to significant side effects. These medications, which include drugs like haloperidol and chlorpromazine, can lead to severe and unpleasant adverse effects such as extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), tardive dyskinesia, and other movement disorders. The presence of these side effects can greatly impact a patient's quality of life and compliance with treatment, often leading to the discontinuation of their use. In contrast, atypical antipsychotics emerged as a newer class of medication that generally presents a more favorable side effect profile, offering better tolerability for many patients. This emphasis on patient safety and quality of life is crucial in modern psychiatric care, making the switch to atypical agents a key factor in the decline of typical antipsychotic usage. Other options relate to factors that may influence the use of medications but do not primarily account for the significant shift away from typical antipsychotics in practice. While concerns about efficacy, costs, and availability are relevant, the critical reason is the high incidence and severity of side effects associated with typical antipsychotics that have led clinicians to prefer alternative treatments.