Self-detoxification by opiate addicts. A preliminary investigation

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Opiate addiction is a significant public health concern.
• Self-detoxification is a common but often unsuccessful strategy among opiate-dependent individuals.
• Understanding self-detoxification methods is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and methods of self-detoxification attempts in opiate addicts.
• To assess the success rate of self-detoxification episodes.
• To identify common strategies and substances used during self-detoxification.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 50 opiate addicts undergoing treatment for drug dependence in London.
• Subjects reported on previous self-detoxification attempts, including methods, duration, and substances used.
• Analysis of the number of attempts, completed episodes, and success rates.

Main Results:

• 47 out of 50 subjects reported at least one previous self-detoxification attempt, totaling 212 attempts.
• Only 30 subjects completed at least one attempt, with a low success rate of 24% per episode.
• Common methods included abrupt cessation ('cold turkey'), use of benzodiazepines (24 subjects), and opiates (20 subjects). Practical strategies like distraction were also employed.

Conclusions:

• Opiate addicts frequently attempt self-detoxification, but with limited success.
• The methods employed, including abrupt cessation and substance use, highlight the challenges of unsupervised withdrawal.
• Development of accessible self-help detoxification materials could potentially improve outcomes for opiate addicts.