Implant for addiction seems promising

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Results of a study issued from the 13th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association  found that the use of buprenorphine implants actually resulted in reduced drug use. The implant was effective in controlled study groups and did have promising results over a 24 week period.
The implant delivers a low, continual dose of medication to the user and is designed specifically to reduce the odds of a relapse in addicts that are addicted to opiates such as heroin and opioid  prescription painkillers .An opioid is a chemical that works by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central and peripheral nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. The receptors in these organ systems mediate both the beneficial effects and the side effects of opiates.
 The implants ability to help with relapse is due to the fact it is an implant, so an addict won't skip or forget a dose of the medication. Typically the usual treatment is an under-the-tongue oral medication which is still the preferred mode of treatment by many in the medical field.
While this latest step in innovative drug treatment seems promising, it does have a few drawbacks. It is a surgical procedure, and as with all surgical procedure there are risks of infection and scarring. Oral doses of the medication can be modified and adjusted while the implant can not be customised.  However, the new implant does offer options to the addict and doctor, especially in situations where the addict is likely to not keep up with treatment.