Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
Opium Withdrawal Delirium: Two Case Reports.
Ravi C Sharma1, Ramesh Kumar1, Dinesh Dutt Sharma1
1Drs. Sharma, MD, Professor & Head, Kumar, MD, Associate Professor, Dutt Sharma, MD, Assistant Professor, Kanwar, MD, Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Indira Gandhi Medical College & Hospital, Shimla, H.P. India.
Opioid detoxification can trigger delirium in dependent patients. Prompt treatment resolves this dangerous condition within 48-58 hours, highlighting the need for careful monitoring during withdrawal.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Addiction Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Opioid dependence is a chronic relapsing disease.
- Opioid withdrawal can manifest with various symptoms.
- Delirium is a serious neuropsychiatric complication.
Observation:
- Two patients with diagnosed opium dependence presented with delirium during the abstinence phase.
- These patients exhibited symptoms indicative of acute confusion and altered mental status.
Findings:
- The delirium in both patients resolved completely after 48-58 hours of targeted medical intervention.
- Appropriate treatment protocols were effective in reversing the delirious state.
Implications:
- Healthcare providers must exercise caution during opioid detoxification.
- Timely detection and management of delirium are crucial for patient safety.
- Recognizing delirium as a potential life-threatening condition during opioid withdrawal is essential.
More Related Videos
04:53Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD — A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach
Published on: October 18, 2024
09:54Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence
Published on: March 8, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Toxidromes: Clinical Features
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners