Research Paper
Tanya Alim, Suneeta Kumari, Le
Abstract
Given limited research on patient perspectives, we sought to assess craving and depression in dually diagnosed African Americans receiving Buprenorphine/Naloxone and group therapy. Nineteen subjects were recruited and 13 completed the 12 month longitudinal study. Buprenorphine/Naloxone treatment and group therapy were provided weekly. Quarterly evaluations of craving, depression and patient perspectives of treatment were obtained. Craving, depression and reported opiate use significantly declined from baseline. Depression increased slightly at 12 months. Buprenorphine/Naloxone and group therapy resulted in a significant decrease in craving, depression severity, and reported opioid use with improvement in quality of life.