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A Comparison of the Withdrawal Responses of Heroin and Methadone Addicts during Detoxification

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Michael Gossop  and
John Strang
Michael Gossop
Affiliation:
Drug Dependence Clinical Research and Treatment Unit, The Bethlem Royal Hospital and The Maudsley Hospital, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX
John Strang
Affiliation:
Drug Dependence Clinical Research and Treatment Unit, The Bethlem Royal Hospital and The Maudsley Hospital, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX
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Abstract

This study compares the withdrawal responses of methadone and heroin addicts during a ten-day in-patient detoxification programme with methadone. Contrary to suggestions in the literature, the methadone group reported more severe withdrawal symptoms during both the acute withdrawal phase and the recovery phase. There were no differences between the two groups in onset or duration of symptoms. Whereas there may be reasons to favour methadone as a maintenance drug, its use may lead to difficulties during withdrawal.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 158 , Issue 5 , May 1991 , pp. 697 - 699
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1991 

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