Author(s): Adam N Peddicord, Chris Bush and Crystal Cruze
Background: The rate of drug dependence and abuse is a growing problem in the United States. Since 1990, the rate of death from drug overdoses has tripled. According to the Center for Disease Control, for every one drug overdose there are 130 people that abuse or are dependent on drugs. Opiates are the primary drug class that is abused and there is a great need to identify effective treatment options.
Method: A review of the literature was conducted using articles regarding opiate addiction and treatment that were published between 2009-2014 in peer-reviewed journals.
Results: Suboxone and methadone are both proven to be effective treatment options. Both medications have unique risks and benefits, and the research does not indicate that one medication is a better option than the other. This decision must be based on an individual basis after reviewing important patient factors such as health status and access to the medication.
Conclusion: Suboxone and methadone each have their own advantages and disadvantages. When choosing an appropriate medication, many factors must be considered, such as dosing schedule, side effects, risk of abuse and overdose, and cost. The choice must be made as a collaborative effort between the provider and the patient to choose the most appropriate and effective medication.
