Comparison of drug treatment histories of single and multiple drug abusers in detox.

Filed under: Methadone Detox

Addict Behav. 2001 Mar-Apr; 26(2): 285-8
Greberman SB, Jasinski D

This study was undertaken to determine differences in previous treatment patterns in individuals currently using different numbers of substances. Medical records of 1198 inpatient detoxification (detox) admissions were analyzed. Numbers of past admissions to completed detox, methadone, or other types of drug abuse treatment were totaled and ranked to determine most frequent type. Within gender, treatment histories of single and multiple drug abusers usually do not differ. The one exception is male multiple drug abusers ages 26-30, who show increased admissions. Possible explanations are that men do not seek treatment before developing medical complications of addiction or until external factors influence admission. There were differences in treatment histories between genders in multiple drug abusers only. Before age 30, women reported increased treatment of certain types. Possible explanations are that treatment priority is given to women who are, or may be, pregnant. Also, younger men may not enter or complete treatment. Previous treatment history may influence many behaviors. The results of this study delineate several valuable indicators for assessing past history.
HubMed – Methadone Detox

A compressed opiate detoxification regime with naltrexone maintenance: patient tolerance, risk assessment and abstinence rates.

Filed under: Methadone Detox

Addict Biol. 2000 Oct 1; 5(4): 451-62
Beaini AY, Johnson TS, Langstaff P, Carr MP, Crossfield JN, Sweeney RC

Opiate detoxification using methadone programmes are inefficient and expensive. Rapid and ultra-rapid detoxification using precipitated withdrawal under heavy sedation or anaesthesia provide increased efficiency and speed, but are limited by the requirement for high-dependency facilities and are perceived as high-risk procedures. Procedures using precipitated withdrawal over longer periods with lower sedation are safer, but 20% of patients fail to tolerate these. Here we evaluate a naltrexone compressed opiate detoxification (NCOD) protocol. We investigated patient acceptance, organ function and abstinence rates on 504 consecutive patients undergoing treatment at the Harrogate Detox5 centre between February 1996 and January 1999. Ninety-eight per cent of patients completed the procedure; 81% of patients reported withdrawal was “better than expected”. Only 3% of patients reported any pain. Laboratory investigations demonstrated no organ dysfunction. Abstinence rates post-detox were high with 71%, 61% and 51% of patients free of opiates 3, 6 and 12 months post-detox, respectively. Compliance with the naltrexone maintenance in abstinent patients was 66%, 68% and 30% at these time points. This NCOD protocol provides an efficient method of detoxifying opiate abusers with little patient discomfort or risk to health. Abstinence rates are better than those in comparable studies using other programmes.
HubMed – Methadone Detox

Profiles of heroin addicts in different treatment conditions and in the community.

Filed under: Methadone Detox

J Psychoactive Drugs. 1998 Jan-Feb; 30(1): 11-20
Eland-Goossensen MA, van de Goor IA, Benschop AJ, Garretsen HF

This article describes profiles of heroin addicts in three types of treatment (methadone, detox and therapeutic community) and those not in treatment in the local community. The profiles are based on data at item-level of the revised Addiction Severity Index. In total, 310 heroin addicts were interviewed. The results show that on the one hand the community group and the methadone group are roughly comparable, and on the other hand the detox and therapeutic community groups have similar characteristics. The latter groups report significantly more psychological and social problems. The community group mentions the fewest problems with drug use and more illegal activities in the past month. The results indicate that large differences exist between the groups in psychosocial problems. Furthermore, they indicate that the methadone group has no specific pattern of problems. Two important groups outside treatment are identified with respect to matching: addicts under 25 years old and addicts with a non-Dutch cultural background.
HubMed – Methadone Detox

Follow-up of inpatient cocaine withdrawal for cocaine-using methadone patients.

Filed under: Methadone Detox

J Subst Abuse Treat. 1996 Nov-Dec; 13(6): 467-70
Rosenblum A, Foote J, Magura S, Sturiano V, Xu N, Stimmel B

Significant proportions of opiate-dependent persons entering methadone treatment are also addicted to cocaine and continue to use cocaine during treatment. One standard response to cocaine use has been inpatient detoxification. This study examined the effectiveness of this procedure by comparing pre- and posttreatment urine toxicologies for methadone patients who had been hospitalized for cocaine withdrawal. The results showed a negligible effect on cocaine abstinence (less than 1 out of 10 patients abstinent 12 weeks after detox) and a modest reduction in the frequency of cocaine use (one-quarter decline in urine tests positive after 12 weeks). These findings raise serious doubts about the cost-effectiveness of inpatient cocaine detoxification. Better strategies need to be implemented to enhance the chances of remaining abstinent once detoxified.
HubMed – Methadone Detox

Find More Methadone Detox Information…

Comments are closed.