Naltrexone aids fight against alcoholism

Long-acting injections of the drug naltrexone, combined with psychotherapy, have proven successful in fighting alcohol dependence, a study says.

The drug is effective on a once-a-month basis, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association by a Yale School of Medicine researcher.

"The decision to take medication can wane over time," said Stephanie O'Malley, professor of psychiatry and director of the Division of Substance Abuse Research at the Connecticut Mental Health Center at Yale. "This provides coverage for an entire month."

Alcohol dependence is believed to contribute to more than 100,000 preventable deaths a year nationally.

In a trial conducted at 24 sites, 627 alcohol dependent patients were randomly assigned to receive either an injection of long-acting naltrexone or a placebo injection.

Long-acting naltrexone was associated with a reduction in heavy drinking within the first month of treatment and this response was maintained over the six-month treatment period.

© Copyright 2005 by United Press International