One-, three-, and six-month outcomes after brief inpatient opioid detoxification

The purpose of this study was to investigate short-term outcomes of a 3-day inpatient medical detoxification. Heroin abusers (n = 116; 66% male, 77% A frican-American, X = 38 years old), completed the Addiction Severity Index during detoxification, and at 1, 3, and 6 months after detoxification; 94.5 % of the postdetoxification interviews were completed. During the 30 days b efore detoxification, mean days of self-reported use for heroin was 28, for cocaine 19, and for alcohol 14; a mean of $1,975 was spent on drugs. Acros s the postdetoxification interviews, mean days of reported heroin use range d from 11 to 14; 21-30% of patients reported no heroin use, whereas 25-36% reported almost daily use. Reported use of cocaine and alcohol showed simil ar reductions from pre- to postdetoxification. Reports of heroin and cocain e abstinence were generally verified through urine tests. Other psychosocia l factors improved as well from pre- to postdetoxification (e.g., employmen t increased and needle use decreased). During the 6-month evaluation, at le ast 41% reported engaging in formal inpatient or outpatient treatment; anot her 25-33% reported attending self-help groups. Engaging in formal treatmen t (at least 7 days duration) was associated with significantly better outco me. Nevertheless, pre-to postdetoxification changes were significant and ro bust for the entire study sample. These findings demonstrate that brief inp atient detoxification is followed by reduced drug use over several months a nd is accompanied by substantial treatment-seeking behavior. Thus brief det oxification may serve as an effective harm-reduction intervention.