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A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence
Published on: March 23, 2022
[Buprenorphine as a new alternative for detoxification of heroin addicts. It causes only mild withdrawal problems,
G Blennow1, A Fergusson, A Medvedeo
1Universitetssjukhuset MAS, Malmö. blennow@swipnet.se
Abstract:
Buprenorphine might be an alternative drug to be used in opiate detoxification. Its main advantage is that it carries a low risk for respiratory depression, it gives less euphoria and limited withdrawal effects. In a pilot detoxification project ten heroin addicts were given buprenorphine; seven completed the course. Before detoxification seven patients showed five or more signs on the Himmelsbach scale [6]. After the second day four patients showed no signs, four patients displayed one sign, two patients two signs. Buprenorphine may be a valuable alternative to clonidine, dextropropoxiphene and methadone in the detoxification of opiate addicts.
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