In-patient detoxification procedures, treatment retention, and post-treatment opiate use: Comparison of lofexidine plus naloxone, lofexidine plus placebo, and methadone

TY - JOUR

T1 - In-patient detoxification procedures, treatment retention, and post-treatment opiate use: Comparison of lofexidine plus naloxone, lofexidine plus placebo, and methadone

AU - McCambridge, J

AU - Gossop, M

AU - Beswick, T

AU - Best, D

AU - Bearn, J

AU - Rees, S

AU - Strang, J

PY - 2007/4/17

Y1 - 2007/4/17

N2 - Objective: In-treatment and post-treatment outcomes were compared for three detoxification procedures (lofexidine+naloxone, lofexidine+placebo naloxone, and methadone). Sample and design: The sample was 137 opiate dependent in-patients. Detoxification treatments were 6-day lofexidine+naloxone (n = 45), lofexidine+placebo naloxone (n = 46), or 10-day methadone reduction (n = 46). A cohort study design was, used with double-blind random allocation to lofexidine+naloxone versus lofexidine+placebo. Patients who did not consent to, or who were excluded from randomisation received methadone. Results: Outcome differences between treatment groups at follow-up were generally associated with length of stay post-detoxification rather than detoxification procedure. Among patients who were not opiate abstinent throughout follow-up (n = 85), those who received lofexidine+naloxone detoxification reported a longer interval to first heroin use, with an interaction between detoxification medication and subsequent retention in treatment also identified. Conclusions: Detoxification medication may influence medium-term opiate use outcomes via its effect upon retention in treatment. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

AB - Objective: In-treatment and post-treatment outcomes were compared for three detoxification procedures (lofexidine+naloxone, lofexidine+placebo naloxone, and methadone). Sample and design: The sample was 137 opiate dependent in-patients. Detoxification treatments were 6-day lofexidine+naloxone (n = 45), lofexidine+placebo naloxone (n = 46), or 10-day methadone reduction (n = 46). A cohort study design was, used with double-blind random allocation to lofexidine+naloxone versus lofexidine+placebo. Patients who did not consent to, or who were excluded from randomisation received methadone. Results: Outcome differences between treatment groups at follow-up were generally associated with length of stay post-detoxification rather than detoxification procedure. Among patients who were not opiate abstinent throughout follow-up (n = 85), those who received lofexidine+naloxone detoxification reported a longer interval to first heroin use, with an interaction between detoxification medication and subsequent retention in treatment also identified. Conclusions: Detoxification medication may influence medium-term opiate use outcomes via its effect upon retention in treatment. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

U2 - 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.09.020

DO - 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.09.020

M3 - Article

SN - 1879-0046

VL - 88

SP - 91

EP - 95

JO - Drug and alcohol dependence

JF - Drug and alcohol dependence

IS - 1

ER -