Research Report

Buprenorphine Misuse among Heroin and Amphetamine Users in Malmo, Sweden: Purpose of Misuse and Route of Administration
A. Hakansson^a, A. Medvedeo^a, M. Andersson^b, M. Berglund<sup>a

a</sup>Department of Clinical Alcohol Research, Lund University, Lund, and
^bDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Malmo University Hospital, Malmo, Sweden

Address of Corresponding Author

Eur Addict Res 2007;13:207-215 (DOI: 10.1159/000104883)

  Key Words

• Buprenorphine misuse
• Intravenous injection
• Snorting

  Abstract

Buprenorphine misuse by injecting drug users was assessed in a survey of 350 needle exchangers, either amphetamine (57%) or heroin users (42%). 89% of heroin users and 24% of amphetamine users reported using buprenorphine at some time during the previous year. Most users reported illicit acquisition. Among illicit users, 87% of heroin users reported intake for withdrawal treatment or self-detoxification, and 11% for euphoria. Euphoria seeking was more common among amphetamine users (62%, p < 0.001). Intravenous misuse was reported by 43% of illicit users, and snorting by 29%. Sole sublingual intake was more common among heroin users than among amphetamine users (46 vs. 20%, p < 0.05), and less common among patients reporting euphoria seeking (20 vs. 46%, p < 0.05).

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

A. Hakansson
Department of Clinical Alcohol Research
Lund University, Malmo University Hospital
SE-20502 Malmo (Sweden)
Tel. +46 40 33 29 77, Fax +46 40 33 62 03, E-Mail anders_c.hakansson@med.lu.se

  Article Information

Number of Print Pages : 9
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 4, Number of References : 36