Medically assisted treatment for opiate addiction--suboxone method as prevention of social exclusion of youth--Tuzla model.

Abstract

AIM:

To present medically assisted treatment for opiate addiction with substitution medicament Suboxone and prevention of social exclusion of young opiate addicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

GENERAL OVERVIEW:

Until recently there was no solution for long-term and comprehensive treatment of young persons who suffer from opiate addiction. This is not an illness that impairs only psychological and physical health of addicts with possible fatal aftermaths, but serious societal problem due to its consequences such as delinquency, crimes and violence that lead young people to social exclusion. There are no capacities within the existing health facilities for long-term stationary treatment, which is necessary for drug addiction. In addition, far less adequate solution is placement of young addicts into penal and correctional institutions, which are stigmatizing and contribute to their exclusion from normal social life. Hence, the latest medically assisted method of substitution treatment with a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone (Suboxone) is introduced. This medicament, with its characteristics, offers possibility for outpatient treatment, and prompt and effective results of detoxification and weaning of opiates is to be achieved. Opiate addicts that undergo this treatment benefit from "clear mind" and capability for occupational and social activities, which significantly improves the quality of their family and social relations. With Suboxone substitution method, the institutional (inpatient) treatment is to be avoided and social exclusion of young addicts treated with Suboxone prevented.

CONCLUSION:

Medically assisted treatment for opiate addiction with Suboxone is conducted in outpatient setting with the involvement of close relatives who are not addicted. It brings back "clear mind" to previous addicts, does not stigmatize but contribute to re-socialization and prevention of social exclusion of young opiate addicts.

• Authors: Mevludin Hasanović, Izet Pajević, Abdurahman Kuldija, Amra Delić
• Journal: Psychiatria Danubina (Psychiatr Danub) Vol. 24 Suppl 3 Pg. S398-404 (Oct 2012) ISSN: 0353-5053 [Print] Croatia
• PMID: 23114824 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination
• Naloxone
• Buprenorphine

Topics

• Adult
• Analgesics, Opioid (administration & dosage)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Buprenorphine (administration & dosage)
• Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination
• Humans
• Naloxone (administration & dosage)
• Opiate Substitution Treatment (methods)
• Opioid-Related Disorders (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Outpatients
• Social Isolation (psychology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult