Addiction Therapy
Drug
dependence is a universal public health problem of which opioid
dependence, notably involving heroin and morphine are a major
component. In Europe alone, there are an estimated 1.1 million
intravenous drug users and the number is estimated to be at
least 3 times that many in North America. The majority of these
individuals remain untreated.
Opioid
dependence is a chronic relapsing medical condition that requires
long-term treatment and patient support. In addition, many of
these intravenous drug users share syringes and needles, a practice
that can lead to the transmission of serious blood-borne infections
including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and
hepatitis C.
Currently
opiate dependence treatments like methadone can be dispensed
only in a few centers that focus in addiction treatment. There
are not enough addiction treatment clinics to assist all patients
seeking treatment. Suboxone is the first narcotic drug available
under the Drug Abuse Treatment Act (DATA) of 2000 for the treatment
of opiate dependence that can be prescribed by a physician.
Hopefully, this advance in therapeutics will provide more patients
the opportunity to access treatment.
Suboxone
(buprenorphine with naloxone) is currently available for the
maintenance treatment of opioid addiction. The intention of
adding naloxone to the formulation is to deter intravenous misuse
and reduce the symptoms of opiate dependence. Suboxone treatment
is intended for use in adults and adolescents more than 16 years
of age who have agreed to be treated for addiction.
Once
detoxification is completed, Suboxone is used during the maintenance
phase of treatment. Suboxone has recently become the drug of
choice instead of methadone in the treatment of opiate addiction.
Suboxone use is less rigidly controlled than methadone because
it has a lower potential for abuse and is less dangerous in
an overdose. As patients progress on therapy, the physician
may write a prescription for a take-home supply of the medication.
