Follow-up of inpatient cocaine withdrawal for cocaine-using methadone patients.
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.
Rosenblum
A
A
National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., New York, NY 10048, USA.
Foote
J
J
Magura
S
S
Sturiano
V
V
Xu
N
N
Stimmel
B
B
D000328:Adult; D003042:Cocaine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000191:economics*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C005618:benzoylecgonine; D003042:Cocaine; D008691:Methadone