Implant could help heroin users

Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles have been studying the effectiveness of implants in improving the lives of heroin addicts. The implants are inch-long rods that sit just underneath the skin on people's arms. They last for six months and release a steady trickle of buprenorphine, an anti-addiction medicine which is chemically-related to heroin but less harmful. The study involved 163 participants, half of whom received dummy implants and half of whom received buprenorphine ones. After four months urine samples showed that 40% of those with the buprenorphine implants tested negative for illegal drugs compared to only 28% of those with the dummy implants. The drug did have side effects such as nausea, vomiting and constipation.

Drug treatment for teenage substance-abusers

In 2007 it is estimated that between 200,000 and 400,000 adolescents abused prescription opioids and it is thought that a number of these youngsters could become dependent on, or addicted to them. Buprenorphine and naloxone have been shown to be effective in treating opioid addiction but only limited use of these drugs has been recommended for younger people. A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania looked at 152 young people between the ages of 15 and 21. 55% were using heroin, 35% prescription opioids and 10% both. One group were given 12 weeks of treatment with buprenorphine and naloxone, the other group only 2 weeks. After eight weeks of treatment only 23% of those on the long-term treatment tested positive for opioids compared to 54% on the short-term therapy. However, after 12 weeks the gap had narrowed; 43% of those on the extended drug therapy tested positive compared to 51% in the short-term group. However, participants in the long-term group were much more likely to stay in treatment (70% vs 20.5%) and reported less use of opioids, cocaine and marijuana, less injecting and less need for additional addiction treatment.

You can find out more about this research at

http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=news&id=114391&cn=14

Methadone and buprenorphine

Methadone is the usual treatment for heroin addicts. It improves physical and mental health and social functioning and reduces criminal behaviour. However, people can die of an overdose of methadone and some people argue that it prolongs the period of dependence as it takes a long time to come off it. In 1999 buprenorphine was licensed for use in treating heroin addiction. It is less harmful in overdose and easier to withdraw from although methadone is slightly more effective and significantly cheaper. However, little is known about the views of heroin addicts themselves on methods of treatment. A study of 42 addicts in Norwich found that those taking buprenorphine viewed methadone more negatively and buprenorphine more positivelythan those taking methadone. Those taking methadone apperared to do do on the basis of familiarity whereas those taking buprenorphie appeared to be attracted by their beliefs that it would block heroin more effectively, reduce cravings, give less intoxication and be earlier to stop taking than methadone.

Pinto, H., Rumball, D. and Holland R. Attitudes and knowledge of substancd misusers regarding buprenorphine and methadone maintenance therapy Journal of Substacke Use Janray 2008, 13(3), 143-153