From: [k--i--h] at [brahms.udel.edu] (Keith Edward Huss)
Newsgroups: alt.drugs
Subject: Re: Opiate Withdrawal
Date: 18 Sep 93 02:57:14 GMT

I noticed a recent paper in Neuropsychopharmacology 9:77-81, 1993
about opiate withdrawal syndrome being suppressed by administration of
gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (4-hydroxybutyric acid, GHB) at 25mg/kg orally.

Abstract:
In a double blind placebo-controlled trial, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
(GHB) (25mg/kg orally) suppressed most of the withdrawal symptomatology
in 14 heroin addicts and 13 methadone-maintained subjects.  The GHB
effect was prompt (within 15 minutes) and persisted for between 2 and 3
hours.  Subsequently, the same patients received GHB in an open study
every 2 to 4 hours for the first 2 days and 4 to 6 hours for the
following 6 days: most abstinence signs and symptoms remained suppressed
and patients reported feeling well.  Urine analysis failed to detect any 
presence of opiate metabolites.  No withdrawal symptomatology recurred
after 8 days of treatment when GHB was suspended, and patients were
chalenged with an intravenous injection of 0.4 mg naloxone.  The results 
indicate that GHB may be useful in the management of opiate withdrawal.
(End of abstract)

The article mentions GHB also being used as a hypnotic and anesthetic.

I remember seeing GHB mentioned before being used in the same way
for ethanol detox and this article mentions it being effective
for suppressing ethanol withdrawal symptoms.

--keith