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. 2025 Apr;67(4):428-431.
doi: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_1084_24. Epub 2025 Apr 15.

Outpatient-based buprenorphine-assisted opioid withdrawal management: A preliminary prospective observational study

Avinash Jhajharia  1 , Priyanka Saha  1 , Piyali Mandal  1 , Atul Ambekar  1
Affiliations

Outpatient-based buprenorphine-assisted opioid withdrawal management: A preliminary prospective observational study

Avinash Jhajharia et al. Indian J Psychiatry. 2025 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Indian guidelines mention the use of buprenorphine in opioid withdrawal in both outpatient and inpatient setting.

Aim: This is the first study aiming at assessing the feasibility aspects of outpatient-based buprenorphine-assisted opioid withdrawal treatment for opioid dependence.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, 30 men with opioid dependence, planned for outpatient-based withdrawal management, were recruited by purposive sampling and were assessed at baseline, 2, 4, and 12 weeks using validated tools. Abstinence was validated by a urine toxicology screen.

Results: The median age of the sample was 24 (21.75-28.0) years. About 67% retained in treatment with a treatment perception score of 4.1 (4.0-4.4) and a significant reduction of craving and withdrawal scores. More than 80% were abstinent at 12 weeks.

Conclusion: The study findings suggest that outpatient-based buprenorphine-assisted acute opioid withdrawal management is a feasible and acceptable treatment. Considering the relatively few inpatient addiction treatment settings, the findings are promising.

Keywords: Buprenorphine; opioid withdrawal; outpatient.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

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