METHOD FOR STABILIZING INCONSISTENCIES ASSOCIATED WITH OPIOID DEPENDENCE AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING AN OPIOID-DEPENDENT PATIENT ON A TREATMENT REGIMEN BY MEANS OF OPIOID AGONIST-ANTAGONIST

摘要

A method for reducing psychological opioid dependence includes selecting a patient addicted to an opioid and administering to the patient an opioid agonist-antagonist for at least 14 days, thereby reducing craving for the opioid in the patient. An opioid agonist-antagonist is administered in a patient needing an average adherence to a treatment protocol of at least 95 percent. A non-injectable formulation containing an agonist-antagonist also is disclosed.