Buprenorphine added on brief cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of methamphetamine use disorder

Shariatirad, S., Mahjoub, A., Haqiqi, A., Rezaei Hemami, M., Tofighi, B., Ekhtiari, H. and Effatpanah, M. (2018) Buprenorphine added on brief cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of methamphetamine use disorder. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 12(2), e11529. (doi: 10.5812/ijpbs.11529)

Abstract

Background: Methamphetamine (MA) use remains a major public health concern around the world. Recent findings suggest that buprenorphine may be helpful for cocaine use reduction. Moreover, animal studies described reduced dopamine peak effect following MA use, due to the administration of low dose buprenorphine. Objectives: This study examined the effectiveness of buprenorphine with brief cognitive behavioral therapy on MA use disorder. Methods: The study was conducted in an outpatient substance abuse treatment center in Qazvin, Iran. Nineteen MA users received buprenorphine for 24 weeks combined with brief cognitive behavioral therapy in an outpatient substance abuse treatment program, three times per week, as a before and after non - randomization study. Clinical outcomes included treatment retention, MA use, degree of MA dependency and craving, quality of life, cognitive abilities questionnaire, addiction severity and also adverse events. Data was analyzed by performing repeated measures analysis and the Friedman test for nonparametric variables. Results: Fifteen participants completed the study during six months and frequency of MA use was significantly decreased at 24 weeks (P < 0.001). There were also significant reductions in craving (P < 0.001), degree of MA dependence (P < 0.001), and improvements in quality of life, cognitive ability, and some subscales of addiction severity. Conclusions: The results of this preliminary clinical study demonstrated that buprenorphine could potentially attenuate MA craving and alternate rewarding effects of MA and had promising effects on cognitive impairment. Furthermore, buprenorphine can be considered as a harm reduction intervention in some communities, in which the people, as a result of cultural beliefs, do not accept a therapy, which only consists of counseling and no medications.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Financial supports of this study had been provided by both Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Faran Shimi Company.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Rezaeihemami, Dr Mohsen
• Authors: Shariatirad, S., Mahjoub, A., Haqiqi, A., Rezaei Hemami, M., Tofighi, B., Ekhtiari, H., and Effatpanah, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment
• Journal Name: Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
• Publisher: Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences
• ISSN: 1735-8639
• ISSN (Online): 1735-9287
• Published Online: 22 May 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
• First Published: First published in Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences 12(2):e11529
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License