Measurement of Drug Craving During Naloxone-Precipitated Withdrawal in Methadone-Maintained Volunteers

This study assessed whether naloxone-precipitated withdrawal occasioned opiate craving in methadone-maintained volunteers and whether craving would be greater when an opiate could be taken during withdrawal. Volunteers were injected intramuscularly with saline during 2 sessions and 0.2 mg naloxone during 2 sessions. During 2 sessions (1 naloxone, 1 saline), volunteers were told that if withdrawal distress was intense, they could choose to receive methadone 30 min after the test injection. This choice, however, would result in the loss of $10. Naloxone precipitated withdrawal on observer-rated, physiological, and subjective measures. Opiate craving significantly increased during withdrawal when measured by a multi-item scale but not when measured by a standard single-item question. Withdrawal, mood, and craving measures were not significantly influenced by opiate availability. The concept and measurement of craving and conditions that modulate it are discussed.