GHB Withdrawal Symptoms and Effectiveness of Treatment With Lorazepam Versus Pentobarbital - 1

Inclusion Criteria: * Meets DSM-IV criteria for GHB dependence * Self-reported as GHB dependent with current daily use of GHB * Use of GHB for at least 20 consecutive days prior to enrollment * Desire to stop GHB use * Availability of a friend or family member to act as a collateral informant * Speaks and understands English Exclusion Criteria: * Females who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or do not agree to use adequate forms of contraception * History of seizures * A baseline EEG of clinical concern that requires inpatient ICU detoxification * Any anticonvulsant therapy during the 3 years prior to enrollment * Pancreatic disease, such as insulin-dependent diabetes * Liver disease that requires medication or medical treatment * Gastrointestinal or kidney disease that might significantly impair absorption, metabolism, or excretion of study drug, or might require medication or medical treatment * Asthma, hives, angioedema, or similar condition * Acute intermittent porphyria or porphyria variegata * Neurological or psychiatric disorders, including psychosis, bipolar disorder, or other disorders that require treatment or might make study compliance difficult (assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR) * Positive tuberculosis (PPD) skin test with a clinical history and chest X-ray indicative of active tuberculosis (individuals with a positive PPD test and a negative chest X-ray, who are not symptomatic for tuberculosis and do not require antituberculosis therapy, will be eligible to participate) * Clinically significant abnormal baseline EKG * Requirement for any of the following medications currently or within the 4 weeks prior to enrollment: psychotropics (including sedatives/hypnotics, antidepressants, neuroleptics), prescription analgesics, anticonvulsants, antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics, or antiretroviral medications * Nicotine dependent participants will be given nicotine patch therapy for the duration of the study; participants who refuse nicotine patch therapy will continue in the study as determined by the hospital smoking and standard of care regulations * Meets DSM-IV criteria for dependence on any psychoactive substance other than GHB, caffeine, or nicotine * Symptomatic HIV infection * Alcohol breath test greater than .05 ppm at time of hospital admission