Opiate withdrawal symptoms in response to 10-day and 21-day methadone withdrawal programmes

M Gossop; P Griffiths; B Bradley; J Strang

doi:10.1192/bjp.154.3.360

Opiate withdrawal symptoms in response to 10-day and 21-day methadone withdrawal programmes

M Gossop, P Griffiths, B Bradley, J Strang

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76 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study investigates and compares the responses of 132 opiate addicts to a 10-day or a 21-day in-patient oral methadone withdrawal regime. For both groups, symptom severity (on the Opiate Withdrawal Scale) steadily increased through the methadone withdrawal phase, and peaked near the point of completion of the prescribed drug, declining slowly thereafter. Patients on the 10-day programme reported significantly higher peak withdrawal scores than those on the 21-day programme. Although the proportions who completed detoxification were similar, there was a significantly higher drop-out rate immediately after detoxification for the 10-day group. The possible benefits and handicaps of the two withdrawal schedules are considered and recommendations are proposed for further refinement of the present widely adopted approach.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	360-3
Number of pages	4
Journal	British Journal of Psychiatry
Volume	154
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.154.3.360
Publication status	Published - Mar 1989

Keywords

Adult
Female
Heroin Dependence
Humans
Male
Methadone
Opioid-Related Disorders
Psychiatric Department, Hospital
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
Time Factors

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title = "Opiate withdrawal symptoms in response to 10-day and 21-day methadone withdrawal programmes",

abstract = "This study investigates and compares the responses of 132 opiate addicts to a 10-day or a 21-day in-patient oral methadone withdrawal regime. For both groups, symptom severity (on the Opiate Withdrawal Scale) steadily increased through the methadone withdrawal phase, and peaked near the point of completion of the prescribed drug, declining slowly thereafter. Patients on the 10-day programme reported significantly higher peak withdrawal scores than those on the 21-day programme. Although the proportions who completed detoxification were similar, there was a significantly higher drop-out rate immediately after detoxification for the 10-day group. The possible benefits and handicaps of the two withdrawal schedules are considered and recommendations are proposed for further refinement of the present widely adopted approach.",

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AU - Gossop, M

AU - Griffiths, P

AU - Bradley, B

AU - Strang, J

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N2 - This study investigates and compares the responses of 132 opiate addicts to a 10-day or a 21-day in-patient oral methadone withdrawal regime. For both groups, symptom severity (on the Opiate Withdrawal Scale) steadily increased through the methadone withdrawal phase, and peaked near the point of completion of the prescribed drug, declining slowly thereafter. Patients on the 10-day programme reported significantly higher peak withdrawal scores than those on the 21-day programme. Although the proportions who completed detoxification were similar, there was a significantly higher drop-out rate immediately after detoxification for the 10-day group. The possible benefits and handicaps of the two withdrawal schedules are considered and recommendations are proposed for further refinement of the present widely adopted approach.

AB - This study investigates and compares the responses of 132 opiate addicts to a 10-day or a 21-day in-patient oral methadone withdrawal regime. For both groups, symptom severity (on the Opiate Withdrawal Scale) steadily increased through the methadone withdrawal phase, and peaked near the point of completion of the prescribed drug, declining slowly thereafter. Patients on the 10-day programme reported significantly higher peak withdrawal scores than those on the 21-day programme. Although the proportions who completed detoxification were similar, there was a significantly higher drop-out rate immediately after detoxification for the 10-day group. The possible benefits and handicaps of the two withdrawal schedules are considered and recommendations are proposed for further refinement of the present widely adopted approach.

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KW - Female

KW - Heroin Dependence

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KW - Male

KW - Methadone

KW - Opioid-Related Disorders

KW - Psychiatric Department, Hospital

KW - Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

KW - Substance Withdrawal Syndrome

KW - Time Factors

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DO - 10.1192/bjp.154.3.360

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JO - British Journal of Psychiatry

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Opiate withdrawal symptoms in response to 10-day and 21-day methadone withdrawal programmes

Abstract

Keywords

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