Pubdate: Fri, 02 Nov 2001
Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 News Limited
Contact:  http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/113

DOUBT OVER DETOX DRUG

SCIENTISTS have thrown doubt on a drug commonly used to detoxify heroin users.

The drug, clonidine, is used by most hospitals and clinics and is 
prescribed in large doses for the controversial rapid detoxification treatment.

But University of Newcastle researchers Loris Chahl and Sebastian 
Jungnickel have found that while clonidine stops the head and body shakes 
common in heroin withdrawal, the brain's stress response increased.

There was ``strong evidence of psychotic and emotional stress'', Associate 
Professor Chahl said.
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