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Cited by 30Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesOpioid Use Disorder TreatmentSubstance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Buprenorphine in the treatment of non-suicidal self-injury: A case series and discussion of the literature

Norelli, Lisa J., Smith, Howard S., Sher, Leo, Blackwood, Tracey A.·2013·ijamh
DOI 10.1515/ijamh-2013-0069
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Abstract

A global public health problem, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is highly prevalent in both males and females, and tends to first occur in adolescence. NSSI is correlated with a history of childhood trauma, and with a variety of developmental and psychiatric disorders. NSSI is associated with increased risk of morbidity and premature death from suicide, accidents, and natural causes. Current treatment approaches are inadequate for a substantial number of people. Converging evidence for opioid system dysregulation in individuals with NSSI make this a promising area of investigation for more effective treatments. The pharmacological profile of buprenorphine, a potent μ-opioid partial agonist and κ-opioid antagonist, suggests that it may be beneficial. In this paper, we describe the successful treatment of severe NSSI with buprenorphine in six individuals, followed by discussion and further recommendations.

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Crossref · 10.1515/ijamh-2013-0069

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45 of 45 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Only one clinical case study about non-suicidal self-injury behavior was found, including 6 patients with self-injury behavior treated with buprenorphine.

    “Only one clinical case study about NSSI behavior was found [53]: it included 6 patients with self-injury behavior who were treated with BUP.”

    From The Efficacy of Buprenorphine in Major Depression, Treatment-Resistant Depression and Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review (2018) · cites this paper as [53]

  • Norelli et al. described six psychiatric inpatients with severe, treatment-refractory non-suicidal self-injury treated with buprenorphine in combination with other therapies; overall, six patients showed an improvement in non-suicidal self-injury behavior.

    “Norelli et al. [53] described a case series including six psychiatric inpatients with severe, treatment refractory NSSI on which BUP has been administered—in different doses—in combination with other therapies (e.g., antipsychotic medications including clozapine, antidepressants, mood stabilizers including lithium, valproate, and carbamazepine, benzodiazepines, α-adrenergic and β-blockers, and the”

    From The Efficacy of Buprenorphine in Major Depression, Treatment-Resistant Depression and Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review (2018) · cites this paper as [53]

  • Norelli et al. found efficacy of buprenorphine in reducing non-suicidal self-injury in five of six patients with long histories of severe repetitive non-suicidal self-injury refractory to conventional approaches.

    “Regarding NSSI behavior, Norelli et al. [53] found an efficacy of BUP in reducing this behavior in five of the six investigated patients with long histories of severe repetitive NSSI behaviors refractory to conventional approaches.”

    From The Efficacy of Buprenorphine in Major Depression, Treatment-Resistant Depression and Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review (2018) · cites this paper as [53]

  • Participants in the study by Norelli et al. showed a complex history of severe and recurrent traumas, high rate of hospitalization, and suboptimal response to various medication combinations.

    “In addition, the participants in the study conducted by Norelli et al. [53] showed a complex history of severe and recurrent traumas, high rate of hospitalization, and a suboptimal response to various combinations of medications”

    From The Efficacy of Buprenorphine in Major Depression, Treatment-Resistant Depression and Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review (2018) · cites this paper as [53]

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Authors
Norelli, L. J., Smith, H. S., Sher, L., & Blackwood, T. A.
Affiliations
  • Albany Medical College (US)
  • Capital District Psychiatric Center, Albany, NY, USA
Corresponding author
Norelli, Lisa J.
ORCID
Sher, Leo
Venue
ijamh
Publisher
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Published
2013-08-30
Volume
25
Issue
3
Pages
323-330
ISSN
  • 0334-0139 (ISSN-L)
  • 2191-0278
DOI
10.1515/ijamh-2013-0069
OpenAlex
W1970052727
Cited by
30
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 4
FWCI
2.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Keywords
non-suicidal self-injury, buprenorphine, childhood trauma, adolescent self-harm, suicide risk
MeSH terms
Adult, Buprenorphine, Female, Persons with Disabilities, Hospitalization, Humans, Male, Narcotic Antagonists, Psychological Techniques, Self-Injurious Behavior, Treatment Outcome, Receptors, Opioid, mu, Adult Survivors of Child Abuse, Secondary Prevention

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