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.

KEYWORDS:

• Suboxone misuse
• opiate maintenance treatment
• suboxone diversion
• opioid misuse

Notes

1. From herein, instead of the opiate/opioids designation, the phrase illicit drug(s) will be used, except when opiate is used in an historical or appropriate context. It also should be noted that the harm reduction approach to drug treatment does not explicitly forbid or encourage illicit drug use.

2. I’d like to thank Dr. Ross Coomber, PhD, of Plymouth University, UK, for directing me to this article.