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Attitudes Toward Buprenorphine and Methadone Among Opioid‐Dependent Individuals
Author(s) -
Schwartz Robert P.,
Kelly Sharon M.,
O'Grady Kevin E.,
Mitchell Shan Gwin,
Peterson James A.,
Reisinger Heather Schacht,
Agar Michael H.,
Brown Barry S.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1080/10550490802268835
Subject(s) - buprenorphine , methadone , opioid , medicine , opioid use disorder , psychiatry , substance abuse , methadone maintenance , psychology , anesthesia , receptor
Attitudes and beliefs about drug abuse treatment have long been known to shape response to that treatment. Two major pharmacological alternatives are available for opioid dependence: methadone, which has been available for the past 40 years, and buprenorphine, a recently introduced medication. This mixed‐methods study examined the attitudes of opioid‐dependent individuals toward methadone and buprenorphine. A total of 195 participants (n = 140 who were enrolling in one of six Baltimore area methadone programs and n = 55 who were out‐of‐treatment) were administered the Attitudes toward Methadone and toward Buprenorphine Scales, and a subset (n = 46) received an ethnographic interview. The in‐treatment group had significantly more positive attitudes toward methadone than did the out‐of‐treatment group (p < .001), while they did not differ in their attitudes toward buprenorphine. Both groups had significantly more positive attitudes toward buprenorphine than methadone. Addressing these attitudes may increase treatment entry and retention.