Trends in Buprenorphine Treatment in the United States, 2009-2018

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Abstract
The increase in opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States has focused attention on extending access to medications for opioid use disorder. Among the 3 medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, buprenorphine is widely viewed as offering the greatest opportunity for expanding access. Between 2009-2011 and 2012-2014, US estimates of office-based visits involving buprenorphine prescriptions increased from 1.9 million to 4.3 million.1 In 2015, an estimated 200 per 100 000 privately insured adults filled at least 1 buprenorphine prescription.2 Yet most individuals with opioid use disorder do not receive treatment, and no general population estimates exist for rates of buprenorphine use. We present trends in US buprenorphine use by demographic groups with estimated length and duration of new treatment episodes.