Opioid Dependence Remains an Incurable Condition

This reality seems to have been overlooked by authors of a paper that appeared recently (J Psychoact Drugs, 42(2):161-175, 2010). They state: "For reasons not adequately understood, some patients find discontinuation of buprenorphine following long-term use difficult." Indeed, this understates the case! Notwithstanding such claims as "buprenorphine is less addicting," once treatment of addiction ends relapse is the rule rather than the exception, and this applies to buprenorphine no less than to treatment with methadone or various drug-free approaches.