Medication 'could assist drug rehab'

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by Change | 5 Nov 2008

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A prescription drug has been found to have positive effects among youngsters undergoing drug addiction rehabilitation, helping them to continue in their treatment and avoid substance abuse.

Long-term use of medication that relieves drug withdrawal symptoms could help young people undergoing addiction treatment, it has been claimed.

According to Reuters, a research project found young addicts who took Reckitt Benckiser's drug Suboxone stayed in rehabilitation treatment longer than those who underwent short-term detox and counselling and were less likely to abuse drugs during their substance therapy.

Dr George Woody of the University of Pennsylvania, who led the study, told the news provider many drug treatment programmes in the US favour shorter-term detoxification despite the possibility that medication is a more effective option.

"We found when they are on the drug as compared to when they were off, their opiate use was much less," he added.

Last month, the Tyrone Times reported figures from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety indicating the number of youngsters from areas in the south of Northern Ireland seeking help for drug addiction increased five-fold in the last 12 months.

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