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

• 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
• ISSN: 1055-0887; 1545-0848
• DOI: 10.1300/J069v25n04_09

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.