Buprenorphine Therapies for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence - Subutex and Suboxone*

Drug addiction is a worldwide problem and opioid dependence, notably on heroin, is a major component. Strongly associated with drug addiction is the spread of infectious blood borne diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis C and tuberculosis, which are associated with the shared use of needles amongst intravenous drug users. Drugseeking behaviour accounts for much crime and violence as addicts steal to buy more drugs, and the physical and psychological problems caused by the drugs give rise to unstable behaviour and a breakdown in normal interpersonal relationships. The high health service costs for the treatment of addiction related diseases as well as the high cost to society of drug related behaviour has prompted research to find new medications and treatment strategies for opioid dependence.