title: Subjective effects of prisoners using buprenorphine for detoxification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Buprenorphine (Subutex) was piloted in two Scottish prisons between 2004 and 2006 and consequently used within other penal establishments in Scotland. This 2007 qualitative study aimed to explore the use of Subutex and its associated effects on 14 participants on detoxification programmes.
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants were male, aged from 21 to 44 years with prison sentences ranging from a few months to life imprisonment. Buprenorphine was unavailable to female prisoners at the time of this study. Participants were recruited from seven Scottish prisons. All 14 participants were on detoxification programmes, each was prescribed Subutex, and each was selected from a larger investigation that included both those undergoing detoxification and maintenance (n=21). All participants had previously also used methadone on previous detoxification programmes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It can be concluded that the majority of detoxification participants within this study indicated that Subutex was a more effective treatment than methadone as it helped reduce craving, eased the process of withdrawal and improved sleeping patterns. In addition, the majority of participants noted higher levels of motivation and the ability to set goals towards obtaining an improved quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides an alternative perspective to the use of Subutex within prison settings, when compared with results from previous quantitative studies reported. The study also highlights inconsistencies drawn from studies in this area, which may be an artefact of study design. It is recommended that further qualitative studies be conducted to explore further this alternative perspective. Finally, the issue of methodological approach taken should be addressed within the context of a related, but independent, research forum.
authors.affiliation: Associate Lecturer in the Centre for Alcohol & Drug Studies, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johnstone
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Duffy
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011329:Prisoners; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012606:Scotland; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D002047:Buprenorphine
keywords: Buprenorphine; Craving; Detoxification; Drug addiction; Penal; Prisoners; Qualitative; Rehabilitation; Scotland; Sleep; Subutex; Withdrawal