A CLINICAL EVALUATION OF TETRAETHYLTHIURAMDISULPHIDE (ANTABUSE) IN THE TREATMENT OF PROBLEM DRINKERS
KARL M. BOWMAN M. D.1,
ALEXANDER SIMON M. D.1,
C. H. HINE M. D.1,
E. A. MACKLIN M. D.1,
G. H. CROOK PH. D.1,
N. BURBRIDGE M. D.1, , and
KARL HANSON M. D.1
1 The Langley Porter Clinic and the Divisions of Psychiatry and Pharmacology of the University of California School of Medicine.
The Antabuse treatment of problem drinkers appears to be of definite value in the medical management of certain patients by significantly reducing the amount of time devoted to excessive drinking over a long period. It is more likely to prove of value in those persons showing no evidence of psychotic trends and lesser degrees of neurotic disposition. There is little evidence to indicate that it will bring about a permanent cure so that Antabuse may be discontinued after 6 months of ingestion of the drug when given as outlined. It is of utmost importance to recognize that psychotic reactions may occur while the patient is under Antabuse medication and that serious cardiovascular accidents may occur should the patient consume alcoholic beverages during the course of treatment.
