Does post-withdrawal cue exposure improve outcome in opiate addiction? A controlled trial

A controlled trial studied whether cue exposure prevented relapse in opiate addiction. Subjects were randomly allocated to one of two inpatient treatment settings: a drug dependence unit with a special 10 week program and 4 weeks in a behavioural/general treatment unit without such a program. In each setting, following drug-withdrawal, subjects had either cue exposure for at least six sessions over 3 weeks, or a control condition. Subjects were followed up twice, at about 6 weeks and 6 months post-treatment. 186 subjects were randomly allocated; 69 were assessed post-detoxification, and of these 43 completed cue exposure or control treatments. Cue exposure and control subjects did not differ in cue reactivity. This was evaluated post-treatment for cue exposure subjects and at a comparable time point for controls. All groups showed a significant decrement in cue-elicited craving, withdrawal responses and negative mood. Cue exposure and control subjects did not differ at either of the two follow up interviews.