[3][4] In the UK, NICE recommends the use of chemical restraint for acute behaviour disturbances (ABD), but only after verbal calming and de-escalation techniques have been attempted.
[5] Drugs that are often used as chemical restraints include antipsychotics, benzodiazepines,[6] and dissociative anesthetics such as ketamine.
[2] The FDA estimates 15,000 elderly individuals in nursing homes die each year due to the unnecessary use of anti-psychotics.
[7] According to the Nursing Home Reform Act, individuals have the right to be free from physical or chemical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience and not required to treat the resident's medical symptoms.
Patients can view chemical restraint as a violation of integrity and find the experience traumatic.