Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL) Withdrawal: Five Case Studies

There is little medical information available about gamma- hydroxybutyrate (GHB) or gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) dependence or withdrawal. In this study the authors treated and reviewed multiple cases of GHB and GBL withdrawal in high-dose users. Five patients during nine hospitalizations were treated...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychoactive drugs 2001-04, Vol.33 (2), p.143-149
Main Authors: McDaniel, Charles H., Miotto, Karen A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
4-Butyrolactone - adverse effects
Adjuvants, Anesthesia - adverse effects
Adult
Anxiety - chemically induced
Anxiety - psychology
Anxiety - therapy
Biological and medical sciences
delirium
Female
gamma-butyrolactone (GBL)
gamma-hydroxybut yrate (GHB)
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Miscellaneous
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
psychosis
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders - chemically induced
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders - psychology
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders - therapy
Sodium Oxybate - adverse effects
Solvents - adverse effects
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - psychology
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - therapy
Tremor - chemically induced
Tremor - psychology
Tremor - therapy
withdrawal
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Description
Summary:There is little medical information available about gamma- hydroxybutyrate (GHB) or gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) dependence or withdrawal. In this study the authors treated and reviewed multiple cases of GHB and GBL withdrawal in high-dose users. Five patients during nine hospitalizations were treated for GHB or GBL withdrawal. The authors describe a spectrum of GHB or GBL withdrawal from mild to severe and discuss medications used for treatment. They conclude that patients with GHB or GBL withdrawal may present with agitated psychosis, delirium, and autonomic instability. In this sample, relapse to GHB or GBL use occurred soon after treatment of withdrawal.
ISSN:0279-1072
2159-9777
DOI:10.1080/02791072.2001.10400479