Maintenance treatment with depot opioid antagonists in subcutaneous implants: an alternative in the treatment of opioid dependence

A report is presented of treatment of 156 patients (male 98%) with opioid dependence (ICD‐10 criteria) using a maintenance programme with depot opioid antagonists (naltrexone) as subcutaneous implants, started after an outpatient rapid antagonization regimen. The retention index in the treatment was from 80% in the sixth month, and 65% after one year. The patients were followed‐up for 1 year after discharge. For 6 months after discharge 55.4% were still returning for follow‐up visits and 20.8% after 1 year, all of them remaining abstinent to opioids. It is concluded that the programme is safe for the patients and shows a better retention index than programmes using oral antagonists, with an improved compliance (negative urine analysis) compared to the latter.