The influence of psychological factors on the opiate withdrawal syndrome.
Psychological and drug-related variables and their effect on the severity of withdrawal symptoms were examined in a group of addicts being withdrawn from opiates on an in-patient drug dependence unit. Two psychological factors--neuroticism and the degree of distress expected by the patient--were related to subsequent severity of symptoms. Both are anxiety-related, and may serve to amplify withdrawal symptoms. Surprisingly, drug dose was unrelated to symptom severity.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000150:complications; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*
D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone