TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-detoxification by opiate addicts
T2 - A preliminary investigation
AU - Gossop, Michael
AU - Battersby, Malcolm
AU - Strang, John
PY - 1991/1/1
Y1 - 1991/1/1
N2 - A study of 50 opiate addicts attending a London service for treatment of drug dependence found that 47 subjects had previously made at least one attempt at self-detoxification. These subjects reported 212 previous attempts. Although 30 subjects reported having managed to complete at least one attempt, the success rate per episode was low (24%). One of the most commonly reported methods, used by 28 subjects, involved an abrupt cessation of opiates ('cold turkey'). Of the drugs used in their attempts at self-detoxification, benzodiazepines were reported by 24 subjects and opiates by 20. Practical strategies such as distraction and avoidance were also used. Self-help detoxification materials for opiate addicts might be useful.
AB - A study of 50 opiate addicts attending a London service for treatment of drug dependence found that 47 subjects had previously made at least one attempt at self-detoxification. These subjects reported 212 previous attempts. Although 30 subjects reported having managed to complete at least one attempt, the success rate per episode was low (24%). One of the most commonly reported methods, used by 28 subjects, involved an abrupt cessation of opiates ('cold turkey'). Of the drugs used in their attempts at self-detoxification, benzodiazepines were reported by 24 subjects and opiates by 20. Practical strategies such as distraction and avoidance were also used. Self-help detoxification materials for opiate addicts might be useful.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0025741479&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1192/bjp.159.2.208
DO - 10.1192/bjp.159.2.208
M3 - Article
C2 - 1663410
AN - SCOPUS:0025741479
SN - 0007-1250
VL - 159
SP - 208
EP - 212
JO - British Journal of Psychiatry
JF - British Journal of Psychiatry
IS - 2
ER -
