Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Dependence

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Males and females between the ages of 18 to 65, current dependence on prescription
opioids as evidenced by documented prior treatment for opioid dependence, signs of
opiate withdrawal as evidenced by a COWS score of 7 or greater, self-reported history
of opioid dependence, and a positive urine toxicology for opiates;

2. willingness to be detoxified from opioids for buprenorphine maintenance ;

3. for women of childbearing age, a negative pregnancy test at screening with agreement
to use adequate contraception to prevent pregnancy, with monthly pregnancy tests
obtained during study participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. use of heroin for more than 4 days in the past month;

2. lifetime history of opioid dependence due to heroin alone;

3. ever used heroin intravenously;

4. requirement for current ongoing opioid treatment for adequate pain management;

5. current alcohol, benzodiazepine, barbiturate use with physiologic dependence as
determined during screening history and physical,

6. serious unstable medical illness including bradycardia or other arrhythmias, major
cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, or hepatic disorders for which buprenorphine
treatment is contraindicated or which at the determination of the MD is medically
dangerous;

7. serious psychiatric illness including psychosis, bipolar disorder with psychosis:

8. or significant current suicidal or homicidal thoughts necessitating a higher level or
care;

9. known allergy or intolerance to buprenorphine.