Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39667731›Full record

SynthesisDrug and alcohol review2025

Home-based detoxification for individuals with alcohol or drug dependence: A systematic review of the recent literature.

Eva Rens, Anna Ceelen, Nicolaas Martens, Lynn Van Camp, Marianne Destoop

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Drug and alcohol review, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Eva RensMultiversum Psychiatric Hospital, Boechout, Belgium.ORCID 0000-0003-1320-1939
Anna CeelenFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Nicolaas MartensMultiversum Psychiatric Hospital, Boechout, Belgium.
Lynn Van CampMultiversum Psychiatric Hospital, Boechout, Belgium.
Marianne DestoopMultiversum Psychiatric Hospital, Boechout, Belgium.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

issueThere is growing awareness of the benefits of treating patients in their own home, yet home-based detoxification of individuals with substance use disorder has received limited attention. While home-based alcohol detoxification seems to be safe and effective for patients without severe withdrawal, little is known about detoxification for illicit or polysubstance dependence. This review synthesises recent findings on home-based detoxification for alcohol and other substances. APPROACH: A systematic search of published and unpublished studies from 2010 onwards was conducted. Studies describing home detoxification interventions and programs, along with qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research, were included. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings were narratively synthesised. KEY

findingsEleven publications were included. Many studies are descriptive, explorative or use a small sample, but four studies are of high quality. Five publications focused exclusively on alcohol detoxification. The outcomes in reducing or abstaining from substance use seem acceptable, except for opioids. Patients and families reported high satisfaction, viewing it as less stressful than inpatient care. However, no conclusions can be drawn regarding the effectiveness compared to other detoxification settings. IMPLICATIONS: The limited evidence base illustrates a great need for further investigation and controlled trials of home-based detoxification and comparison between detoxification settings. Investigating the broader applicability across substances is crucial.

conclusionHome-based detoxification shows potential as a safe and patient-preferred intervention, though more research is required to assess its broader effectiveness and feasibility across various substances. It could play a valuable role within established care models.

Indexed as

AlcoholismHome Care ServicesSubstance-Related DisordersHumansalcoholismdetoxificationhome care servicessubstance use disordersubstance withdrawal syndrome

Identifiers

PMID39667731
PMCPMC11814356

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.