Effect of the Hypnotic Flurazepam on the Sleep of Pentazocine and Heroin Addicts during Withdrawal

Fourteen male heroin addicts being detoxified on methadone and 14 male pentazocine addicts being detoxified drug-free were observed over a 24-hour period for 2 weeks in their sleeping patterns to assess the effects of flurazepam upon sleep during withdrawal. Results of objective and subjective measures find that flurazepam use is associated with more objective nighttime arousals and less total sleep for the heroin group compared to the pentazocine group. Heroin patients felt they had a poorer quality of sleep and took flurazepam more frequently than did the pentazocine patients. Heroin patients' assessments of their sleep and number of arousals correlated poorly with observations.