title: A new approach to preventing relapse in opiate addicts: a psychometric evaluation.
abstract: The present study investigated psychological aspects after different methods of withdrawal treatments in opiate addicts had been conducted. Two pharmacological strategies based on delivering an opioid agonist or antagonist were used for withdrawal in opiate addicts. After detoxification, the antagonist was delivered by a pellet implanted subcutaneously. Four days after the beginning of the treatment several psychological variables such as craving, anxiety, depression, and mood were assessed and compared with data from actively consuming opiate addicts and healthy controls. In addition, 6 and 12 weeks later the relapse rates were assessed. Compared with addicts detoxified and treated with Levomethadone as well as actively heroin consuming addicts, subjects treated with Naltrexone demonstrated significantly higher positive psychological outcome concerning all assessed variables and significantly lower relapse rates. Naltrexone implants prove prevention of relapse during the most vulnerable period after detoxification. Compared with Levomethadone withdrawal, they lead to a significantly better psychological condition in patients.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Research Group on Addiction, Institute of Medical Psychology, Center for Humanities and Health Sciences, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Tucholskystr. 2, D-10117 Berlin, Germany. sabine.gruesser@charite.de
authors.forename: Sabine M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Grüsser
authors.forename: Carolin N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Thalemann
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Platz
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gölz
authors.forename: Gerlinde
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Partecke
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D009271:Naltrexone; D008691:Methadone