Knowing Someone Who is Receiving Buprenorphine Therapy May Increase Interest in Seeking Treatment

Buprenorphine is a safe and effective treatment for opioid dependence, but some eligible individuals do not utilize it because they are either unaware or not interested. In this study, researchers conducted a cross-sectional interview of 158 participants (mean age 48 years, 69% male, 71% Latino, 91% lifetime history of heroin use) in an urban needle exchange program to assess the association of exposure and awareness with interest in buprenorphine treatment.

• Most (70%) participants were aware of buprenorphine treatment but only 32% had direct exposure (prior treatment with buprenorphine), and 31% had indirect exposure (knew someone treated with buprenorphine). Fifty-six percent had an interest in buprenorphine treatment.
• In analyses adjusted for history of methadone maintenance and current cocaine use, indirect exposure to buprenorphine was significantly associated with interest in treatment. Awareness of and direct exposure to buprenorphine treatment were not associated with interest in treatment.

Comments:

This study found that high-risk individuals in a needle exchange program were generally aware of buprenorphine and a little over half expressed an interest in treatment. The finding that awareness of and direct exposure to buprenorphine treatment are not associated with interest in treatment is surprising and may reflect lack of accurate knowledge or a prior adverse experience with buprenorphine. The association of indirect exposure with interest in buprenorphine treatment suggests that counseling by peers with treatment experience might be a useful method to increase uptake.

Kevin L. Kraemer, MD, MSc

Reference:

Fox AD, Shah PA, Sohler NL, et al. I Heard About it From a Friend: Assessing Interest in Buprenorphine Treatment. Subst Abuse. 2013 [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1080/08897077.2013.804484.