Summary

This survey investigated the current practices and challenges of physicians treating opioid dependence in Germany, France, Italy and
the UK. Doses favoured in Europe appeared to conflict with recommended best practice, with low mean methadone and buprenorphine
maintenance doses reported (44.3 and 9.5 mg, respectively). Mean time to buprenorphine maintenance doses was longer than recommended
at 14.4 days. Respondents also rated diversion and misuse management as their most difficult challenge in treating opioid
dependence. These data suggest that prescribing practices are likely to increase this problem, as well as impeding treatment success
by decreasing compliance and retention.

 

A lot of Theory but good: Bacha et al 12(3)2010