The effects of Buprenorphine/Naloxane Maintenance Treatment on the Quality of Life, Substance Use and Functionality in Opiate Dependence: A Follow-Up Study

ABSTRACTObjective: Abstinance is not the only goal of the current drug addiction treatment modalities. New modalities focus rather on improvement in physical and mental health, personal and social functionality. It has been found that opioid maintanence treatment reduces the rates of illicit drug use, crime and sexual transmitted diseases in addition to increasing psychiatric, somatic and social functionality. In this study, we examined the effects of Buprenorphine/Naloxane (BN) maintenance treatment on substance abuse, quality of life and functionality.Method: The sample contained 50 opiate-dependent individuals who were hospitalized at the inpatient psychiatric unit for opioid detoxification and then followed at the addiction outpatient clinic of Istanbul University, Faculty of Medicine after their discharge from the hospital. The first interview was conducted at the inpatient unit and other interviews were conducted at the addiction outpatient clinic. The Addiction Severity Index and The Short-Form 36 ...