NCJ Number
190817
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 36 Issue: 8 Dated: 2001 Pages: 1071-1083
Date Published
2001
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This Bangladesh study during August and September 1995 investigated buprenorphine use, the characteristics of the users, their reasons for use, and the drug's effects.
Abstract
Buprenorphine, an opiate partial agonist, has shown promise as a pharmacological adjunct in the treatment of opiate dependence. Buprenorphine blocks the euphoric effects produced by opioids, has a long duration of action, and produces only limited withdrawal symptoms following abrupt termination of use. Buprenorphine has been studied as an alternative to methadone maintenance pharmacotherapy and as a drug to help patients in their transition from methadone maintenance to treatment with an antagonist such as naltrexone. It has also been used to ameliorate the opiate withdrawal syndrome. The opioid-like euphoric effects of buprenorphine, however, may lead to psychic dependence. To learn more about buprenorphine users, researchers at the Central Drug Addiction Treatment Center in Bangladesh recruited and interviewed 30 buprenorphine users. Each of the buprenorphine users interviewed had a history of multiple drug use, and all but one had used heroin. Buprenorphine was considered a good alternative to heroin, because it was inexpensive, readily available, only required low doses, and produced positive effects. The subjects were motivated to continue using buprenorphine for some of the same reasons they began using it. They reported pleasurable effects. Buprenorphine helped some lead a relatively normal life. In addition, some found that they could enhance the effects of buprenorphine by using it with other drugs such as diazepam, antihistaminics, and cannabis. 5 tables and 18 references