title: [Brazilian guideline for the treatment of patients with opioids dependence syndrome].
abstract: There is a relatively low prevalence of opioid use in Brazil, particularly involving the non-medical use of codeine and opiate-containing syrups. However, opioid dependence syndrome shows a significant total impact on mortality and morbidity. Over the past 20 years, scientific progress has changed our understanding of the nature of opioid addiction and its various possible treatments. Addiction is a chronic illness treatable if the treatment is well-delivered and tailored to the needs of the particular patient. There is indeed an array of treatments that can effectively reduce drug use, help manage drug cravings, prevent relapses and restore people to productive social functioning. The treatment of drug addiction will be part of long-term, medical, psychological, and social perspectives. This guideline aims at providing guidance to psychiatrists and other mental health professionals who care for patients with opioid dependence syndrome. It comments on the somatic and psychosocial treatment that is used for such patients, and reviews scientific evidences and their strength. Also, the essential historical, epidemiological and neurobiological aspects of opioid dependence are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Dependência Química, Associação Brasileira de Psiquiatria, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danilo Antonio
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Baltieri
authors.forename: Eric C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Strain
authors.forename: João Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scivoletto
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malbergier
authors.forename: Sérgio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nicastri
authors.forename: Cláudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jerônimo
authors.forename: Arthur Guerra de
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Andrade
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D006801:Humans; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D013577:Syndrome