Perceptions Related to Pharmacological Treatment of Opioid Dependence Among Individuals Seeking Treatment at a Tertiary Care Center in Northern India: A Descriptive Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Perceptions of individuals with opioid dependence regarding medications used for long-term management of the condition have been explored only by a handful of studies. Interestingly, no study had compared the perceptions regarding buprenorphine, buprenorphine-naloxone, and oral naltrexone in the opioid-dependent subjects from the same setting. Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the perceptions related to treatment of opioid dependence with buprenorphine, buprenorphine-naloxone, and oral naltrexone among individuals seeking help at a tertiary care center. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study with consecutive sampling. Sociodemographic data, Drug Abuse Monitoring System questionnaire, perceptions questionnaire, clinical interview to elicit drug use history, treatment history and details of prior abstinence attempts were completed. Results: Eighty-five subjects were recruited in the study. Fear of becoming dependent (35.3%) was the most common harm reported while withdrawal control (82.4%) was the most common benefit reported with buprenorphine preparations. Precipitated withdrawals (21.2%) were the most common harm reported and prevention of relapse (53%) was the most common benefit reported with oral naltrexone. While patients who believed that buprenorphine or naltrexone were harmful reported durations of treatment that were much shorter than those who did not so believe, there was no statistically significant difference in the actual duration and period of abstinence (p = .34; p = .62). Sociodemographic profile, perceptions related to dosing, nature of medication, expectations from treatment, and duration of illness were also described.

KEYWORDS:

• Perceptions
• buprenorphine
• buprenorphine-naloxone
• naltrexone
• opioid substitution therapy

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sathya Prakash

Sathya Prakash is serving as a Senior Resident Doctor in Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. His areas of interest include opioid use disorders and dual disorders.

Yatan Balhara

Yatan Balhara is serving as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi- A WHO Collaborating Centre on Substance Abuse. He also serves as Regional Mentor for International Program in Addiction studies being hosted by University of Adelaide, Virginia Commonwealth University and King's College London. He works in area of SUDs and he is particularly interested in Dual Disorders and behavioral addictions.