Out-patient detoxification of patients addicted to sedative-hypnotics and anxiolytics

Due to the risk of seizures and other potentially life threatening complications, it has been accepted practice to detoxify patients addicted to sedative-hypnotics or minor tranquilizers in an in-patient setting. Using the procedures for patient selection and management described below, we have been able to detoxify as out-patients approximately two-thirds of 69 patients who were found to be in need of detoxification. Out-patients experienced no serious complications during or immediately following detoxification and were not significantly less likely than in-patients to complete treatment. We present here some guidelines which will assist practitioners in identifying patients who are appropriate for out-patient detoxification and describe approaches to patient management that have proven effective.