Drug abuse

According to the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the incidence of new nonmedical users of pain relievers is now at 2.2 million Americans aged 12 and older, surpassing the number of new marijuana abusers (2.1 million).

In 2005, more than six million Americans reported current (in the past month) nonmedical use of prescription drugs — more than the number abusing cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and inhalants, combined.

"The abuse of prescription opiates continues to be unacceptably high, producing steep increases in emergency room admissions,’’ said NIH Director Dr.

Elias A.

Zerhouni.

"This trial is part of our ongoing commitment to develop better treatment approaches for ba href=/drug abuse/a/b and addiction, so devastating to millions of Americans and their families." The study will test the effectiveness of buprenorphine/naloxone tablets, marketed as Suboxone, along with different models of drug counseling in patients addicted to prescription opioids.

Buprenorphine works by acting on the brain’s own opiate receptors — targets for heroin, morphine, and prescription opioids — relieving drug cravings without prompting the same intense high or dangerous side effects.

When combined with naloxone, buprenorphine’s abuse potential is further limited, since those who try to inject it to get high experience severe withdrawal symptoms, while no adverse effects occur when it is taken orally, as prescribed.

This medication ha...

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