Methadone and Buprenorphine for the Treatment of Opiate Addiction

Background: The rate of drug dependence and abuse is a growing problem in the Iran, number of opioid – dependent people is estimated at a total of 2000.000-4000.000 individuals. The aim of this study was a Comparison of Methadone and Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Opiate Addiction referring to a treatment clinic of Baharan psychiatric hospital in Zahedan city. Methods: In a cross sectional study, 152 patients with opioid dependence were assigned into two treatment groups i.e. Methadone and Buprenorphine. Data were collected from patients using a questionnaire COWS. ANOVA and repeated measures regressions were used to evaluate the significant differences on using drug (methadone and Buprenorphine), time, and drug-by-time interaction terms. Results: Patients on MMT and BMT differed in terms of Age started addiction (p = 0.0001); education level (p = 0.0001); and income (p = 0.0001), and no differed in term of sex (p =0.8). There was no significant difference between the two groups taking buprenorphine and methadone (Sig=0.87). Conclusion: In conclusion, our study indicated, Buprenorphine and methadone are both proven to be effective treatment options.