Both Naltrexone and Behavioral Therapy Can Reduce Drinking in Alcohol Dependence

Researchers tested various combinations of treatments for alcohol dependence (naltrexone, acamprosate, both, or double placebo, with or without combined behavioral therapy, or combined behavioral therapy alone [without placebo]) in a nine-arm, 16-week randomized trial in 1383 patients who had recently become abstinent. In all except one treatment arm (behavioral therapy alone, without placebo), subjects were assigned to receive “medical management” focused on adhering to medication regimens and reinforcing abstinence.

During treatment, those who received behavioral therapy plus naltrexone or placebo were more likely to achieve good clinical outcomes (abstinence or moderate consumption without problems) than those who received placebo without…