Opioid use disorder

Opioid use disorder is a serious chronic disease. It usually requires lifelong treatment, in which physical, psychological, and social aspects must be taken into account in equal measure.

“Effective long-term treatment of opioid dependence often requires multiple treatment episodes and combinations of responses. Harm reduction interventions, mental health and other services, addressing co-occurring mental and physical health problems, will also be important,” is how the German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI) defines the associated form of therapy. There is international consensus on the benefits of substitution treatment.¹

¹ European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Best Practice, policy and practice briefings: Tackling opioid dependence. https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/best-practice/briefings/tackling-opioid-dependence_en (accessed: 08.02.2021)

Addiction

What is addiction?

Dependence or addiction is the strong desire for a certain condition.

Addiction is not a moral weakness or a criminal condition, but a chronic, mental illness. Therefore, it requires appropriate medical and psychotherapeutic treatment.

In the context of substance-related addictions, there can be a dependence on addictive substances such as illegal drugs, but also on alcohol or nicotine.

Fundamentals

Opioid addiction

Opioid addiction is a complex disease that requires a long-term treatment in most cases. Opioids are substances that exert their effects via the so-called opioid receptors in the body.

A distinction is made between:

Endogenous opioids

These are the body’s own opioids; they are produced by the body itself and fulfil a physiological function.

Exogenous opioids

These are opioids supplied from outside (due to therapeutic necessity or abuse in the context of addiction). Exogenous opioids include, for example, methadone, fentanyl, hydromorphone, diacetylmorphine (heroin, the most addictive opioid), buprenorphine and morphine.

36.000 to 39.000
people in Austria suffer from high-risk opioid use - mostly in the form of mixed use.

REPORT ON THE DRUG SITUATION 2024, AUSTRIA

Objectives and fundamentals

Substitution therapy

Substitution-assisted treatment is a scientifically well-evaluated form of therapy and is the treatment of choice for the majority of patients.

A dependence disease is a lifelong disease. Therefore, the affected person needs long-term support – both in terms of psychotherapy as well as drug treatment.

For the individual indication and initiation of substitution-assisted treatment, the specific conditions and needs of the patient must be considered. Moreover, the indication for adolescents and young adults, as well as for patients who have only recently become dependent must be considered cautiously.

Substitution therapy

Drug substitution therapy

Drug substitution therapy is a well-established form of treatment. Opioid addicts are treated with a drug substitute. Usually, slow-release morphine, buprenorphine, levomethadone and methadone are used.

Choosing the right drug and the right dosage is essential for a therapeutic success. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss any desirable and undesirable effects with a physician.

Together, we are
working to meet the
biggest
challenges in healthcare.

MICHAEL BARTENSTEIN (CCO)

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals for opioid addiction

GL Pharma as a manufacturer of pharmaceutical products offers a portfolio of products as defined in § 8a of the Austrian SMG for the substitution treatment of opioid dependence.

These drugs have different efficacy and side effect profiles, which have to be taken into account and adapted into a comprehensive therapy concept.

Areas of application