The problem is that four weeks is not enough to find out if this drug is addictive (causes unbearable withdrawal symptoms) like buprenorphine (Subutex).

This reminds me of all the initial claims about Subutex being a miracle cure and then it turned out to be a nightmare as anyone who has tried to come off Subutex will confirm.

The problem with opioids as opposed to opiates is always the same. It takes a lot longer to become "addicted" to them but coming off them is a lot more difficult once you have become "addicted" e.g.(s): Methadone & Subutex.

Only if ALKS 5461 proves to be an exception, it is then that it can be considered a "better" drug than the existing Opioids; be as treatment for depression or addiction. In Germany they have opted out of Methadone treatment in favour of heroin for addicts for this very reason.

Finally I find it amusing that doctors are finally prepared to admit that opioid and/or opiates have anti-depressing effects when until now if you mentioned that one was taking methadone or heroin for that matter to manage one's depression everyone considered it as yet "just" another excuse for a junkie to justify his/her "dirty" habit repeating that opiates/opiods did not help with depression.

Talk about double standards!