Treating Opioid Dependence — New Data and New Opportunities

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Heroin use in the United States has grown considerably over the past decade. Approximately 3 million Americans have used heroin,1 a fact that has led to increasing concern about heroin-related problems such as overdose, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, unemployment, and crime. Finding effective treatments for heroin dependence is critical. The report by Johnson et al. in this issue of the Journal 2 represents an important step toward expanding the options for treatment.Patients who are dependent on opioids may come to physicians with health problems and may request help finding treatment. The first step is careful screening to identify underlying . . .