Buprenorphine/naloxone addiction in a pharmacist as a result of migraine self-treatment

Objective: A unique case report is presented to demonstrate addiction in a pharmacist through the use of buprenorphine/naloxone film for the self-prescribed treatment of migraine headaches.

Case summary: A 35-year-old female hospital pharmacist was admitted to treatment for opioid use disorder for using buprenorphine/naloxone film to self-medicate her migraine headaches. After daily use of sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone, and several failed attempts to discontinue use, the pharmacist was admitted to a partial hospitalization treatment program. She was prescribed sumatriptan subcutaneous injection for her migraines, while maintaining buprenorphine/naloxone abstinence. Upon completion, the pharmacist transitioned to the aftercare program, where she maintains sobriety and uses her story to help aid in other patients' recoveries at the treatment center.

Discussion: Addiction and substance abuse affect a substantial number of health care professionals. Pharmacists are particularly vulnerable to prescription drug misuse and addiction as a result of their direct access and vast pharmacologic knowledge. In a 2004 self-report survey of a random sample of health care providers, 58.7% of pharmacists reported using nonprescribed prescription drugs at least once in their lifetime. This case is a story of rehabilitation and recovery of a pharmacist who has a desire to return to the practice of pharmacy through the use of effective pharmacologic and behavioral interventions.