CLONIDINE AND OPIATE RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS IN THE TREATMENT OF HEROIN-ADDICTION

Good results in detoxification methods have been reached using both to gether clonidine and opiate receptors antagonists. One hundred fifty-t wo heroin-abusing patients were studied evaluating withdrawal symptoms after therapy with (a) clonidine only, (b) clonidine and naltrexone, (c) clonidine and naloxone, and (d) placebos. Treatment results, emoti onal and behavioral changes, and involvement in psychosocial programs were evaluated after a 6-month follow-up. Although opiate antagonists were able to induce slight and transient withdrawal signs and symptoms , there was, in the group of patients treated with clonidine and naltr exone together, a low percentage of catabolites in urine and an improv ement in mood and family relationships. Furthermore, the patients that underwent longer naltrexone treatment showed a stronger involvement i n psychosocial programs, and even their relatives demonstrated more in terest in the recovery program. A decrease in the difficulties of acce pting an opiate antagonists treatment and a different evaluation of wi thdrawal syndrome were the results of an early use of naltrexone.