title: Methadone for the treatment of Prescription Opioids Dependence. A retrospective chart review.
abstract: Prescription opioids (PO) addiction is increasing to an epidemic level. Few studies exist regarding its treatment. Although buprenorphine has been the mainstay so far, other treatment options might be considered, such as methadone. We conducted a retrospective assessment of all patients admitted to a psychiatry ward for PO detoxification using methadone between 2010 and 2013. The assessment and description was carried out during a 3-month follow-up period after their discharge. Although this is a retrospective chart review, our exploration included sociodemographic and treatment variables in addition to the abstinence rates for the whole sample. Eleven patients were included, mostly women (81.8%), with a median age of 50 years. The median duration of dependence was 8 years. Dependence on other substances and psychiatric comorbidities were high. Eight patients were monitored during three months. Of these, 7 (87.5%) were abstinent after that period. The results suggest that methadone deserves further exploration as a potentially efficacious treatment option for PO dependence.
authors.affiliation: Addictions Unit, Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Clinic Hospital, Barcelona. pbarrio@clinic.ub.es.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barrio
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ezzeldin
authors.forename: Pol
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bruguera
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mansilla
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fàbrega
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lligoña
authors.forename: Sílvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mondón
authors.forename: Mercè
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Balcells
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D008691:Methadone