Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Retro Orbital, Tail and Intra-cardiac Blood Collection in Rodents
Published on: April 30, 2023
Inpatient management of GHB/GBL withdrawal
1Center for Treatment of Drug Addiction, University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, Grabloviceva 48, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, mirjanadelic@yahoo.com.
Background:
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its precursor gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) are popular drugs of abuse used for their euphoric, (potential) anabolic, sedative, and amnestic properties. Daily use of GHB/GBL can lead to addiction and the possibility of withdrawal syndrome on cessation which results in tremor, tachycardia, insomnia, anxiety, hypertension, delirium, coma.
Aim:
To describe the baseline characteristics, treatment and retention in patients admitted for GHB/GBL withdrawal management.
Methods:
A retrospective review of 4 consecutive cases of patients reporting GHB/GBL addiction who were admitted for inpatient management of withdrawal syndrome.
Results:
All patients were using GHB/GBL daily, 1-1.5 ml per hour. One of them was using cannabis additionally, others were using alcohol, cocaine and amphetamine type stimulants. Psychiatric comorbidities as personality disorders, depression, anxiety and bigorexia were recognized. Patients were treated with benzodiazepines and/or clomethiazole, atypical and typical antipsychotics and beta-blockers. Delirium was developed in two patients. One patient completed detoxification and finished the treatment program. One patient completed detoxification but stopped his treatment earlier, two patients did not completed detoxification and left the program.
Conclusion:
GHB/GBL withdrawal can be severe and retention in program is poor. Polysubstance use, psychiatric co-morbidities and heavier GHB/GBL use as possible predictors of poor treatment outcome need consideration in treatment planning.
Related Concept Videos
16:35Blood Withdrawal I
Blood collection is a common requirement for research studies that involve mice and rats. The method of blood withdrawal in mice and rats is dependent upon the volume of blood needed, the frequency of the sampling, the health status of the animal to be bled, and the skill level of the technician.1 All methods discussed-retro-orbital sinus bleeds, initial tail snip bleeds, and intracardiac...
12:27Blood Withdrawal II
The collection of blood from mice and rats for analysis can be done through a variety of methods. Each method of collection has variations in the type of restraint required, the invasiveness of the procedure, and the necessity of a general anesthetic.1Historically, the use of the retro-orbital sinus cavity has been used, but not without debate. The controversy related to the potential tissue...
05:31Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Paired with Total Vaporization Solid-Phase Microextraction as a Forensic Tool
10:52A Novel Method of Drug Administration to Multiple Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the Quantification of Withdrawal
01:26Tonsillitis II: Management
01:29Impression Management Techniques I: Managing Appearances