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Substitution management in opioid dependence

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Addiction Mechanisms, Phenomenology and Treatment

Summary

Substitution treatment (replacement therapy) is the most widespread and the most frequently researched therapeutic approach to heroin dependence. At present, the “gold standard” is methadone maintenance, but the use of other agonists and of combined compounds with antagonists are increasingly used, especially Buprenorphine. This paper reviews the main findings from research and their consequences for best practice rules. The evolution and organisation of substitution treatment in Europe is described, indicating a major discrepancy in administrative regulations. Emerging trends are also mentioned, as well as the merits and limitations that mark the place of substitution treatment in a comprehensive therapeutic network for opioid dependence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Addiction Research Institute, Konradstrasse 32, CH-8005, Zurich, Switzerland

    Prof. Dr. A. Uchtenhagen

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  1. Prof. Dr. A. Uchtenhagen
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Psychiatry, Innsbruck University Clinics, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    W. W. Fleischhacker

  2. MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK

    D. J. Brooks

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© 2003 Springer-Verlag Wien

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Uchtenhagen, A. (2003). Substitution management in opioid dependence. In: Fleischhacker, W.W., Brooks, D.J. (eds) Addiction Mechanisms, Phenomenology and Treatment. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-0541-2_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-0541-2_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-211-01316-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-0541-2

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