Case Report
Self-Medication With γ-Hydroxybutyrate to Reduce Alcohol Intake
Abstract
We describe a 52-year-old man who self-medicated with &ggr;-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a widely available illicit substance, to obtain a decrease in ethanol consumption. He successfully reduced his ethanol intake over a 3-month period, but he was unable to sustain abstinence. Although case reports on the use of GHB to induce euphoria have been published, this is the first report of GHB self-medication to facilitate ethanol abstinence. This report highlights the importance of considering GHB self-medication not only for euphoric and mood altering effects, but also as a potential treatment for ethanol intake reduction.This content is limited to qualifying members.
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