A case report: Pavlovian conditioning as a risk factor of heroin 'overdose' death

• Main Authors: Bácskai Erika, Gerevich József, Farkas Lajos, Danics Zoltán
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2005-07-01
• Series: Harm Reduction Journal
• Online Access: http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/2/1/11

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The authors present a case illustrating a mechanism leading directly to death which is not rare but has received little attention.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>The case was evaluated by autopsy, investigation of morphine concentration in the blood, and clinical data. The heroin dose causing the 'overdose' death of a young man who had previously been treated a number of times for heroin addiction did not differ from his dose of the previous day taken in the accustomed circumstances. The accustomed dose taken in a strange environment caused fatal complications because the conditioned tolerance failed to operate. The concentration of morphine in the blood did not exceed the level measured during earlier treatment.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results are in line with the data in the literature indicating that morphine concentrations measured in cases of drug-related death do not differ substantially from those measured in cases where the outcome is not fatal. A knowledge of the conditioning mechanism can contribute to prevention of fatal cases of a similar type. The harm reduction approach places great stress on preventive intervention based on data related to drug-related death.</p>