Naltrexone and the Treatment of Alcohol-Dependence: Initial Observations

Abstract

Alcohol-abuse and dependence are among the most common psychiatric diagnoses with lifetime prevalence rates of about 15% in the general population and 24% in men (Robins, Heizer, Weissman, Orvaschel, Gruenberg, Burke & Regier, 1984). Despite the severe physical and social consequences associated with alcohol (Polich, Armor & Braiker, 1980), treatment for the disorders remains problematic. Recent reviews lead to the conclusion that extant treatments for alcoholism have had only modest success (Miller & Hester, 1986; Nathan, 1986). Despite intensive inpatient or residential treatment, about half of the individuals dependent on alcohol relapse to drinking alcoholic beverages and terminate treatment within three months. This has prompted researchers to seek pharmacological agents that may decrease relapse-rates and improve treatments.