UI - 000020

AU - Tennant F

AU - Shannon JA

AU - Nork JG

AU - Sagherian A

TI - Abnormal adrenal gland metabolism in opioid addicts: Implications for clinical treatment

AB - IN: Research Ctr for Dependency Disorders & Chronic Pain, West Covina, CA, US LA: English AB:

Examined whether methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) causes diminution of pituitary-adrenal reserve

or if that condition preexists in the heroin addict. Ss were 14 male heroin addicts who voluntarily sought

outpatient detoxification. Results indicate that most active heroin addicts have low adrenal reserve prior to

entering MMT. Chronic opioid administration may induce adrenal insufficiency or an addisonian state. There

is a need to normalize adrenal gland metabolism during treatment of heroin addicts. (PsycLIT Database

Copyright 1992 American Psychological Assn, all rights reserved) KP: abnormal adrenal gland metabolism

as preexisting condition vs methadone maintenance side effect; male heroin addicted patients in

detoxification AN: 79-24914

SO - Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 1991;23:135-14