title: Suboxone misuse along the opiate maintenance treatment pathway.
abstract: This study explores strategies that Suboxone misusers utilize while in drug treatment. Ethnographic interviews were conducted with 14 patients who had cycled in and out of Suboxone treatment. The objective of the study is to identify strategies implemented by patients who intermittently use opiates/opioids while in Suboxone treatment. Findings indicate that some patients serially stop and start treatment in a Harm Reduction setting in New York City. Many patients suggest that they manage their opiate/opioid dependency through a sequential use of Suboxone and heroin to avoid withdrawal and to continue their misuse of opiates/opioids. Results are discussed in conjunction with the difficulties inherent to substance abuse treatment and suggestions for improvement are offered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, New York 10019, USA. TFurst3334@aol.com
authors.forename: R Terry
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Furst
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069479:Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination; D004338:Drug Combinations; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009519:New York City; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012008:Recurrence; D012931:Social Environment; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000069479:Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone; D002047:Buprenorphine