ABSTRACT
If the patient is in delirium tremens, then this warrants emergency admission under the medical team for a medical detoxification. The disadvantage of a medical detoxification is that there is insufficient time to arrange adequate aftercare. Therefore, in a non-urgent case, the patient would be given a specific elective date in the future to have his detoxification so that aftercare can be arranged. Aftercare is very important and the patient should try to enrol in a rehabilitation programme when the detoxification programme is finished. The patient is at the highest risk of relapse when he has just finished his detoxification. This patient has had a relatively short habit and is new to treatment. It is important to explain the role of substitute prescribing and that it can take several days to establish the correct dose of methadone that he would need to prevent the 'cold turkey' symptoms of opiate withdrawal.
