Conference paper
INPATIENT MANAGEMENT OF GHB/GBL WITHDRAWAL
Mirjana Delic
orcid.org/0000-0003-3374-704X
; Center for Treatment of Drug Addiction, University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Background: Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its precursor gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) are popular drugs of abuse used
for their euphoric, (potential) anabolic, sedative, and amnestic properties. Daily use of GHB/GBL can lead to addiction and the possibility
of withdrawal syndrome on cessation which results in tremor, tachycardia, insomnia, anxiety, hypertension, delirium, coma.
Aim: To describe the baseline characteristics, treatment and retention in patients admitted for GHB/GBL withdrawal management.
Methods: A retrospective review of 4 consecutive cases of patients reporting GHB/GBL addiction who were admitted for
inpatient management of withdrawal syndrome.
Results: All patients were using GHB/GBL daily, 1-1.5 ml per hour. One of them was using cannabis additionally, others were
using alcohol, cocaine and amphetamine type stimulants. Psychiatric comorbidities as personality disorders, depression, anxiety and
bigorexia were recognized. Patients were treated with benzodiazepines and/or clomethiazole, atypical and typical antipsychotics and
beta-blockers. Delirium was developed in two patients. One patient completed detoxification and finished the treatment program. One
patient completed detoxification but stopped his treatment earlier, two patients did not completed detoxification and left the program.
Conclusion: GHB/GBL withdrawal can be severe and retention in program is poor. Polysubstance use, psychiatric comorbidities
and heavier GHB/GBL use as possible predictors of poor treatment outcome need consideration in treatment planning.
Keywords
GHB/GBL; addiction; inpatient; treatment; withdrawal
Hrčak ID:
263457
URI
Publication date:
4.9.2019.
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