Substitution of heroin and methadone with buprenorphine Using an overlap method without needing to wait for withdrawal

Drugs and Alcohol Today,Volume 16, Issue 4, December 2016. Purpose Is it possible to switch patients from heroin or methadone to buprenorphine without needing to experience symptoms of withdrawal?
Design/methodology/approach Review of author's experience in 1980s where 3 patients transfered to 4mg buprenorphine from 40ml methadone without symptons of withdrawal.

Review of literature where patients where transferred to buprenorphine without waiting for withdrawal symptoms to occur.

Presentation of 6 case histories in author's clinic.
Findings Provided the buprenorphine is commenced at a very low dosage,is gradually increased and the heroin/methadone is reduced over a period of time,it is possible to change from heroin or methadone without inducing withdrawal symptoms. It is not necessary to stop the heroin/methadone and wait for withdrawal symptoms to occur Research limitations/implications Due to the authors retirement in October 2015 further research into the production of a template which could be used universally has not yet been possible. Practical implications Transferring patients from heroin and methadone to buprenorphine has often been difficult. Waiting for withdrawal symptoms to occur has often resulted in treatment failure. The method described eliminates the problem.patients Originality/value confirmation that the finding of the original case histories from 1980's were valid.
The value to the treatment service should be co...

Source: Drugs and Alcohol Today - October 19, 2016 Category: Addiction Source Type: research