Format
Scientific article
Publication Date
Original Language

English

Partner Organisation
Keywords
opioid dependence
medical care
treatment
addiction

Should Opioid Dependent Patients Receive Immediate Access to Medical Treatment?

New research supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has found through a comparison of treatment approaches for opioid dependence that, in an emergency setting, combining the medication buprenorphine with on-going care is more effective than referring patients to centres for addiction, with or without a brief intervention.

The investigation showed that those who received buprenorphine over the course of up to 12 weeks, together with a brief initial intervention to discuss the dangers of substance abuse, were ultimately more like to seek follow-up addiction treatment and self-reported a decrease in illegal opioid use.

According to the authors, the study supports previous research that suggests opioid dependent patients may benefit from starting a course of medication immediately, while in the meantime awaiting more comprehensive treatment.

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