Short-term outcomes after brief ambulatory opioid detoxification with buprenorphine in young heroin users.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the outcomes at 1, 3 and 6 months after a very brief outpatient detoxification with buprenorphine in 18-25-year-old heroin users.


METHODS
Prospective follow-up study.


METHODS
Outpatient drug treatment clinic, providing brief detoxification in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, USA.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-three subjects between 18 and 25 years old; 56% male; 95% Caucasian; seeking detoxification; living in Baltimore City and five surrounding counties.


METHODS
Detoxification with buprenorphine over 3 days. Follow-up at 1, 3 and 6 months.


METHODS
Drug use history, the Addiction Severity Index at baseline and follow-up, urine drug screens, evaluation of the detoxification experience.


RESULTS
By self-report, 37% of the total sample were not currently using heroin at 1 month, 32% at 3 months and 29% at 6 months, and 6.7%, 10.1% and 11.8% had an opioid negative urine test at 1, 3 and 6 months, respectively. There was a significant reduction from the baseline in mean Addiction Severity Index drug use composite score, as well as the mean number of days of heroin and cocaine use during past 30 days, that was sustained over the three follow-up points. Engagement in aftercare was generally poor.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings show a reduced frequency and intensity of drug use, suggesting a possible role for brief outpatient detoxification in reducing the severity of dependence for some younger heroin users who may not yet be ready to engage in long-term abstinence-oriented or opioid substitution treatments.
Gandhi
Devang H
DH
Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. dgandhi@psych.umaryland.edu
Jaffe
Jerome H
JH
McNary
Scot
S
Kavanagh
Greg J
GJ
Hayes
Michael
M
Currens
Marian
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D002047:Buprenorphine