Ambulatory opiate detoxification in primary care
Alvarez Mazariegos, J.A.; González Ferro, A.; Bobillo de la Peña, M.C.; García Mata, A.; del Alamo Alonso, A.; Pascua García, R.
Atencion Primaria 18(10): 539-545
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0212-6567 PMID: 9072084 Document Number: 465824
To present a procedure for opiate detoxication in primary care and to assess results. A retrospective analysis of medical records. The Valle-Inclán urban Health Centre, Ourense. The first 58 heroin addicts treated under the standard procedure for detoxication at our centre. The method of detoxication based on administering decreasing doses of dextropropoxyphene (Deprancol), accompanied by anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs. The patient attended the clinic, and accompanied by a responsible family member. The treatment ended with naloxone induction. We analysed the social, demographic, toxicological and treatment data, always in relation to the result (positive or negative). 85% of patients were male, with average age 27 and average time of consumption > 4 years, with a daily average of 250 mg per day of heroin (125-1,000 mg). 50% were working or studying, 67% lived in their family of origin. The treatment led to a positive result in 79.3% of cases. The only factors which seemed to be associated with this were: age under 30, staying in their original family and the existence of family support for the patient. The procedure developed by our team was effective and would be more so with better choice of patients. It opens up further perspectives for tackling drug dependency from primary care.