The Open Addiction Journal

2009, 2 : 21-23
Published online 2009 August 18. DOI: 10.2174/1874941000902010021
Publisher ID: TOADDJ-2-21

Co-Occurring Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Opioid Dependence: A Role for Buprenorphine

Itai Danovitch , Sandra Comer and Maria Sullivan
Department of Psychiatry, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8730 Alden Dr, W-103, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.

ABSTRACT

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is highly prevalent among individuals addicted to opioids and complicates the course of illness and treatment response. Evidence-based treatments for patients with co-occurring opioid abuse and PTSD are lacking. Furthermore, little is known about the potential benefits of partial agonist therapy for these co-occurring conditions. We report the case of a patient with PTSD and opioid dependence, who experienced substantial symptomatic improvement with buprenorphine.

We conclude that screening for PTSD in the opioid-abusing population is imperative, that buprenorphine may have important therapeutic benefits, and that future studies should examine the efficacy of partial-agonist opioids for concurrent PTSD and opioid dependence.

Keywords:

Post traumatic stress disorder, opioid dependence, buprenorphine.