Self-medication with gamma-hydroxybutyrate to reduce alcohol intake.
We describe a 52-year-old man who self-medicated with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a widely available illicit substance, to obtain a decrease in ethanol consumption. He successfully reduced his ethanol intake over a 3-month period, but he was unable to sustain abstinence. Although case reports on the use of GHB to induce euphoria have been published, this is the first report of GHB self-medication to facilitate ethanol abstinence. This report highlights the importance of considering GHB self-medication not only for euphoric and mood altering effects, but also as a potential treatment for ethanol intake reduction.
Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.
James K
JK
Glisson
John
J
Norton
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012651:Self Medication; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D012978:Sodium Oxybate