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GHB and Alcohol
Source: ceri.com
by John Morgenthaler and Dan Joy
GHB shows great promise in the treatment of alcoholism. In Europe, one of
its primary uses is to relieve withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and anxiety
among alcoholics.
In laboratory rats addicted to alcohol, withdrawal symptoms closely
resemble those exhibited by humans, including tremors, convulsions, and
hypersensitivity to sound. All of these symptoms were blocked by
sufficiently high doses of GHB. Administration of GHB has also been found
to prevent alcohol consumption among rats that voluntarily ingest alcohol.
In a rigorous, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted of human
alcoholics, "nearly all withdrawal symptoms disappeared within two to
seven hours" after administration of GHB. On a
severe-moderate-mild-or-none scale, withdrawal symptoms remained below
moderate during the entire period. The only side effect observed was
slight, occasional, and transient dizziness. The researchers concluded,
"the results clearly indicated that GHB is effective for the suppression
of withdrawal symptoms in alcoholics".
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