Gvantsa Piralishvili

• MD, PhD
• Expert at Center for Mental Health and Prevention of Addiction

Background: While alcohol consumption is pervasive in the country of Georgia, the extent of alcohol consumption among pregnant women is yet to be examined. The goal of this study is to examine prevalence and correlates of alcohol consumption during pregnancy in Georgia. Methods: Using data from the World Health Organization’s Stepwise approach to n...

Aims: Determine the extent to which buprenorphine injectors continue treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone or methadone, and the impact of these treatments on substance use and HIV risk in the Republic of Georgia. Methods: Randomized controlled 12-week trial of daily-observed methadone or buprenorphine-naloxone followed by a dose taper, referral to...

Aims: Evaluation of State Opioid Substitution Treatment OST (methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone- Addnok-N) program in Georgia and optimization of the routine measurement instrument. Patients were recruited from 4 Tbilisi and 5 regional State Programs in May-October 2013. 2 structured self-questionnaires (one - anonymous for sensitive questions)...

Opioid misuse, abuse, and dependence are global problems whose patterns vary across cultures. In the USA, the non-medical use of prescription opioids has become particularly serious because of its association with addiction and overdose death. Agonist and antagonist medications have been shown to be effective for opioid-dependent adults, and there...

Aims: To obtain data on the acceptability and impact on drug use and HIV risk achieved by a 12-week course of daily-observed Suboxone® or methadone among opioid addicted Subutex® injectors. Methods: Randomized controlled 12-week trial of daily-observed methadone or buprenorphine-naloxone with weekly counseling. Weekly urine tests on opioids, amphet...

Aims: conduct needs assessments and treatment compliance evaluations in MMT and Suboxone Substitution State Programs in Georgia (Republic of). 506 patients (2 females) were surveyed (92% on Methadone, 8% on Suboxone) from 6 Tbilisi and 4 regional State Programs in 2011 November. Mean age - 40±8,56 (22-65) year; 254 (51.4%) were in treatment for 1-...

Aims: to evaluate QOL patients being treated with methadone and Suboxone in State-sponsored programs in Georgia. The WHOQOL-BREF (26 questions) version was administered to patients in State substitution program and healthy volunteers to assess their overall function and life satisfaction in physical, mental, social health, and environment domains....

Background: Despite the low prevalence of HIV infection, Georgia is considered to have a high potential risk for an expanded HIV/AIDS epidemic due to widespread injection drug use and associated risk behaviors. Injection drug users (IDUs) account for 60 percent of registered HIV cases. A significant increase in the use of homemade stimulants has be...

The aim of the study was to understand the prevalence and patterns of the non-medical injecting use of buprenorphine among drug injectors in Georgia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among injecting drug users enrolled in Georgian needle exchange programmes. The questions covered topics related to drug use career, patterns (frequen...

Since December 2005 Methadone Treatment has been introduced in Georgia. Currently three programs are operating in the country covering 210 patients. The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and effectiveness of the pilot methadone program. Case histories, registrations books, questionnaires were studied. Standardized RAB questionnaire...