Addiction today: a short evaluation in substitute treatment of heroin users

Opiate addiction is a chronic disorder, accompanied by remissions and relapses. Treatment of drug addiction is a long-term process, involving multiple interventions to achieve withdrawal. The aim of the study was the evaluation of heroin addicted patients during treatment with methadone and Suboxone. Our results showed significant differences among patients receiving both types of treatment, in terms of age, duration of heroin use and history of first treatment, which were higher in methadone receiving patients. Also there are no significant differences that have been observed among patients with regard to retention over the treatment monitoring period (1 year) and relapse to heroin use Methadone remains the most widely used substance in the treatment of opioid dependence, owing to its good acceptability by patients; at the same time, it reduces both illicit drug use and criminal activity associated with drug procurement. The treatment of a drug addict does not consist of administration of medicines alone: it requires psychological, social and medical interventions as well. Keywords: addiction, heroin, methadone, Suboxone, related psychiatric co-morbidity. Language: en