Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Autoradiography as a Simple and Powerful Method for Visualization and Characterization of Pharmacological Targets
Published on: March 12, 2019
[Detoxification of patients with GHB dependence]
Background:
A new detoxification method for GHB dependence was developed recently in the Netherlands. The method involves the use of pharmaceutical GHB.
Aim:
To describe the characteristics of GHB dependent inpatients, the course of the detoxification process and patients' progress in the three months following inpatient detoxification.
Method:
229 GHB dependent patients were monitored during and after inpatient detoxification. Records were kept of the psychiatric symptoms, withdrawal symptoms and relapses.
Results:
The average age of the patients was 29 years; 69% of the patients were male. They reported severe symptoms of co-occurring depression and anxiety. Detoxification was successful in 86% of the patients and, on a whole, the procedure ran smoothly, without complications. However, within three months following detoxification two-thirds of the patients had relapsed and were again taking GHB.
Conclusion:
Pharmaceutical GHB can be used as an alternative to the benzodiazepine method for detoxifying patients with GHB dependence. However, the high relapse rates following detoxification are of great concern.
More Related Videos
05:31Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Paired with Total Vaporization Solid-Phase Microextraction as a Forensic Tool
Published on: May 25, 2021
08:37Assessment of Glutamine as a Fuel Source for Alveolar Macrophages Exposed to Chronic Ethanol Using an Extracellular Flux Bioanalyzer
Published on: November 15, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Enhanced Elimination of Poison
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
Phase II Reactions: Glutathione Conjugation and Mercapturic Acid Formation
Several distinctive characteristics distinguish glutathione conjugation from other phase II...
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines