Naltrexone for alcohol dependence: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aim. We examined the efficacy of naltrexone (an opioid antagonist) for alcohol dependence in a sample of alcohol-dependent men. Design. A 12-week randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting. The outpatient clinic of a combined war veteran and general teaching hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Participants. Male alcohol-dependent subjects recruited from the community and from veteran groups. Intervention. Alcohol-dependent subjects were treated with 50 mg of naltrexone or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Both treatment groups attended a weekly education support group. Subjects were assessed weekly. Measurements. Primary study outcomes were the maintenance of abstinence and relapse to dri..