title: Opioid detoxification using naloxone.
abstract: A method of brief inpatient opioid detoxification using naloxone is described. Daily injections of naloxone were administered to 20 patients who were dependent on opioids until no physical withdrawal reaction occurred. A reducing regime of clonidine and diazepam was used to treat withdrawal symptoms. Seventy-five percent of patients successfully completed detoxification within 6 days. Withdrawal symptoms were minimal and rapidly declined during treatment. Unlike other techniques using opioid antagonists detoxification with daily naloxone injections requires minimal medical supervision, enables full participation in a daily relapse prevention programme and results in discharge from hospital without medication for symptomatic relief.
authors.affiliation: Drugs North West, Mental Health Services of Salford, Bruy New Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 7BL, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Merrill
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marshall