OBJECTIVE: This study tested the hypothesis that naltrexone reduces
relapse rates among alcoholics by modifying the reinforcing effects of
initial alcohol consumption and alcohol-induced craving. METHOD: Sixteen
alcoholic patients treated with naltrexone and 27 treated with placebo who
participated in a 12-week clinical trial reported retrospectively on their
subjective responses to their first episode of a lapse into alcohol
consumption and on their reasons for terminating the drinking episode.
RESULTS: Compared to the subjects who received placebo, the subjects who
received naltrexone reported lower levels of craving for alcohol and were
more likely to give reasons for terminating drinking that were consistent
with decreased incentive to drink. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the
hypothesis that a central effect of naltrexone is the modification of
alcohol-induced craving.Abstract Teaser