Patent ID: 7736665

Claim:
A method for treating opiate addiction in a human in need thereof, comprising subcutaneously implanting at least one implantable device comprising buprenorphine and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), wherein said device comprises a polymeric matrix comprising buprenorphine blended with said EVA copolymer, wherein said buprenorphine is continuously released in vivo over a sustained period of time through pores that open to the surface of said matrix at a rate that results in a steady state plasma buprenorphine level for at least about 3 months, wherein said device does not comprise a coating that is impermeable to buprenorphine, wherein said device does not comprise external medical equipment, and wherein said at least one device releases buprenorphine at a rate that results in a therapeutically effective steady state plasma level of about 0.1 ng/ml to about 1 ng/ml to a human in need of treatment for opiate addiction.