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Because methadone maintenance treatment poses logistical difficulties and risk for overdose, clinicians increasingly treat opiate-dependent patients with sublingual buprenorphine, the mixed opiate agonist-antagonist. Although effective, it requires daily self-administration; adherence problems can cause reemergent craving and opiate abuse; and diversion and nonmedical use remain problems. In a 6-month, multicenter, manufacturer-funded, randomized, controlled trial, researchers tested the safety and effectiveness of four 80-mg buprenorphine implants compared with placebo implants in 163 patients with opiate dependence. All participants received weekly drug counseling and daily as-needed sublingual “rescue” buprenorphine-naloxone to treat cra…