Neuropsychosocial predictors of outcomes in opioid dependent patients post-detoxification

Abstract

The current treatment of choice for most opiate dependent persons is long term substitute prescribing. Detoxification is not an effective stand-alone treatment. Given the weak evidence base for detoxification coupled with the increased risk of overdose following a period of abstinence, many clinicians opt to continue substitute prescribing or indeed may dissuade opiate dependent persons from detoxifying.