Moreover, pain reliever abuse soared from 6.8% in 1998 to 26.5% in 2008 among people admitted to treatment facilities for opioid dependence.

Methadone is mainly used in the treatment of opioid dependence.

Common is approval as an analgesic and approval for the treatment of opioid dependence.

As internists who care for patients with opioid dependence, we have heard this story repeatedly.

Methadone maintenance has been used to treat opioid dependence for more than 45 years (developed in 1964).

This development has also implications for the prevention, treatment and therapy of opioid dependence.

Naltrexone was approved by the FDA in 1984 for the treatment of opioid dependence.

Concern over the risk of opioid dependence led to the development of alternative medications.

Buprenorphine sublingual preparations are often used in the management of opioid dependence.

Currently, providers must complete a training program on opioid dependence and buprenorphine in order to be able to prescribe the drug.