The dynamics of more-than-human care in depot buprenorphine treatment: A new materialist analysis of Australian patients’ experiences

Original research
par
Barnett, Anthony et al

Date de publication

2024

Géographie

Australia

Langue de la ressource

English

Texte disponible en version intégrale

Oui

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Oui

Évalué par des pairs

Yes

L’objectif

This qualitative study aims to explore patients’ experiences of long-acting injectable depot buprenorphine treatment, including how it feels within the body, experiences of dosing cycles across time, and how this form of treatment relies on wider ecologies of care beyond the clinical encounter.

Constatations/points à retenir

Our analysis destabilises commonplace assumptions about a linear, causal relationship between the pharmacological action of depot buprenorphine and experiences of treatment. Instead, it highlights patients’ variable experiences of depot buprenorphine, tracing the everyday practices, embodied feelings, expectations and wider networks of care that shape patient experiences. 

La conception ou méthodologie de recherche

Participants were recruited from sites in Sydney, regional New South Wales, and Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Thirty participants (16 men, 14 women) participated in semi-structured interviews. Participants had histories of both heroin and prescription opioid consumption, and opioid agonist therapy including daily dosing of buprenorphine and methadone.

Mots clés

About PWUD
Barriers and enablers
Illegal drugs
Stigma
Substitution/OAT
Withdrawal