Heroin addiction: beta-endorphin immunoreactivity in plasma increases during withdrawal

Seven patients with heroin addiction were hospitalized and immediately withdrawn from opiates. Abstinence symptomatology was evaluated quantitatively by use of the Himmelsbach Score. Maximal intensity of withdrawal symptomatology was reached within 2 days. beta-Endorphin immunoreactivity in plasma was measured by use of a very sensitive radioimmunoassay with a low cross-reactivity (28%) against beta-LPH. A statistically significant increase of mean plasma beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity during withdrawal could be demonstrated.