Materials and Methods. Published articles on the opioid abuse and methods of opioid detoxification were identified by searching medical databases, using corresponding literature and were also searched manually for applicable papers. The search was limited to articles published from 1985 through 2014. Results. Opioid dependence determine pathophysiologic changes in the dopaminergic pathways of the organism, as well as the alterations in the stress-responsive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The usage of opioid antagonists in the early stages of withdrawal, can lead the effectiveness of opioid detoxification to 100%. Rapid opioid detoxification do not remove all the symptoms of abstinence. Negative aspects, concerning the procedure, while using prevention, can be reduced to the minimum risk. Rapid opioid detoxification, comparing it with Ultrarapid opioid detoxification procedure, diverges as less financial resources and a lower risk containing technique. Conclusions. Use of antagonists may reduce the duration of withdrawal, thus reducing the overall severity of withdrawal and increasing the chances of successful completion. This technique facilitates commencement of naltrexone treatment. Dosing regimens used in clinical trials vary. Subsequent results do not correlate with the methods of detoxification.
