The Acute Effects of a Rapid Medical Detoxification upon Dysphoria and Other Psychopathology Experienced by Heroin Abusers

Self-reported dysphoria, persornality disorder traits, and subjective opioid withdrawal symptoms were assessed in 30 opioid abusers before and after a rapid medical detoxification from heroin. Subject exclusion criteria reflected an effort to control for potential sources of affective change that were extraneous to the effect of detoxification. Subjects received few rehabilitative services during their 12-day inpatient hospitalization, and were not permitted visitors or off-ward privileges. At the preadmission assessment, they reported elevated levels of dysphoria and personality disorder traits, as well as opioid withdrawal symptoms