The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released what it is calling "the first practical guide" for physicians who wish to use buprenorphine to treat patients who are addicted to opiate prescription pain medications or heroin.

The guide is titled "Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction" (Treatment Improvement Protocol 40, or TIP 40). It is a consensus document produced by leading experts in using buprenorphine to treat patients addicted to opiates, SAMHSA noted in a press release.

The guidelines cover screening, assessment, and diagnosis of opioid dependence and its associated problems and determining when buprenorphine is an appropriate treatment option. It also provides information on referrals and self-help programs.

SAMHSA expects TIP 40 to become the basis for training thousands of U.S. physicians to use buprenorphine in office-based settings. TIP 40 also provides guidance to physicians who need to know how to use buprenorphine with patients with co-occurring pain, psychological disorders, or chemical dependency involving more than one substance.

TIP 40 may be obtained by calling SAMHSA at (800) 729-6686. More information on office-based use of buprenorphine is posted online at<www.buprenorphine.samhsa.gov> and<http://alt.samhsa.gov/samhsa_news/VolumeXII_2/index4.htm>.▪