Experiences of a National Sample of Qualified Addiction Specialists Who Have and Have Not Prescribed Buprenorphine for Opioid Dependence

The limited availability of medication-assisted treatment has created a treatment gap leaving many opioid dependent individuals without access to appropriate treatment. Survey data from a national random sample of 545 addictions physicians with waivers to provide buprenorphine treatment under The Dr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of addictive diseases 2006-01, Vol.25 (4), p.91-103
Main Authors: Kissin, Wendy, McLeod, Caroline, Sonnefeld, Joseph, Stanton, Arlene
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addiction
Addictive behaviors
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Attitude of Health Personnel
Behavior, Addictive - rehabilitation
Biological and medical sciences
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine - therapeutic use
DATA 2000
Documentation
Drug addiction
Drug addictions
Drug Prescriptions - statistics & numerical data
Drug therapy
Health Personnel - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Medical sciences
medication-assisted treatment
Narcotic Antagonists - therapeutic use
Narcotics
opioid dependence
Opioid-Related Disorders - rehabilitation
Opioids
Physicians
Professional Competence
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Substance abuse
Substance abuse treatment
Surveys and Questionnaires
Toxicology
Treatment
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Summary:The limited availability of medication-assisted treatment has created a treatment gap leaving many opioid dependent individuals without access to appropriate treatment. Survey data from a national random sample of 545 addictions physicians with waivers to provide buprenorphine treatment under The Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 are presented. During the first year, an estimated 63,204 opioid dependent patients were treated with buprenorphine; many were dependent on prescription opioids and were new to drug treatment. Prescribing physicians reported high treatment effectiveness and patient satisfaction, with minimal adverse reactions or evidence of diversion. However, many waivered physicians had not provided buprenorphine treatment. Prescribers identified challenges such as induction logistics, recordkeeping requirements, the 30-patient limit, DEA involvement, and limited patient compliance. Buprenorphine treatment could potentially reduce the treatment gap by providing safe and effective treatment for opioid dependence and by attracting patients who do not typically seek care at opioid treatment programs.
ISSN:1055-0887
1545-0848
DOI:10.1300/J069v25n04_09