Self-detoxification attempts among methadone maintenance patients

NOBLE, Alison, BEST, David, MAN, Lan-Ho, GOSSOP, Michael and STRANG, John (2002). Self-detoxification attempts among methadone maintenance patients. Addictive Behaviors, 27 (4), 575-584.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0306-4603(01)00194-0
Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-4603(01)00194-0

Abstract

In a study of patients attending a methadone maintenance clinic in South London, 66 of 114 (58%) had previously attempted to detoxify themselves from opiates without medical assistance. The total number of self-detoxification attempts was 237, an average of 3.6 attempts per individual. Forty subjects (61%) reported attempting self-detoxification with the help of drugs or alcohol. The drugs most commonly used were diazepam, alcohol, and cannabis. The most commonly reported reasons for attempting self-detoxification were "fed-up with the lifestyle" (61%) and "for their family" (12%). The reasons given for why patients had decided to detoxify themselves rather than access treatment services included 23% who reported that "they could cope on their own and that they didn't need any help." The short-term success rate (abstinent for at least 24 hours) was moderate, at 41% (97/237). Patients who had been unsuccessful were asked why their last self-detoxification attempt had not resulted in abstinence, with 27% reporting that they were "tempted to use again" and 23% reported that they "didn't know why they started using again." The prevalence of both attempts and success suggests that, for some opiate users, self-detoxification may be a pathway to abstinence.

Item Type: Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Law Research Group
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-4603(01)00194-0
Page Range: 575-584
Depositing User: Hilary Ridgway
Date Deposited: 12 Feb 2015 12:43
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2021 09:30
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/9386

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