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The Response of Out-Patient Opiate Addicts to the Provision of a Temporary Increase in their Prescribed Drugs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Michael Gossop ,
John Strang  and
P. H. Connell
Michael Gossop
Affiliation:
The Bethlem Royal Hospital and The Maudsley Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX
John Strang
Affiliation:
The Bethlem Royal Hospital and The Maudsley Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX
P. H. Connell
Affiliation:
The Bethlem Royal Hospital and The Maudsley Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX
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Summary

Addicts who use illicit drugs despite receiving a maintenance prescription present a difficult management problem for drug dependence clinics. This study looks at a small group of such addicts and at their response to the provision of a temporary increase in their prescribed opiates. The results indicate that this increase led to a reduction in illicit drug use and to improvements in social functioning. These and other findings are discussed. It is suggested that clinics should be more prepared to consider such temporary increases, but the need for careful monitoring and for the involvement of more than one member of the treatment team is stressed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 141 , Issue 4 , October 1982 , pp. 338 - 343
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1982 

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