Comparison of Naltrexone and Placebo in Treatment of Alcohol Dependence of Adolescents

Abstract

This study assesses the efficacy and safety of long-term naltrexone treatment in alcohol dependence of adolescents. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, thirty patients, age 15 to 19 years, with chronic or episodic alcohol dependence were randomly allocated to treatment with naltrexone (50mg daily) or placebo for 90 days. Patients were assessed on the day treatment started and on days 30 and 90 by interview, self-report, questionnaire, and laboratory screening. At the end of treatment, 20 naltrexone treated and 10 placebo treated patients had been continuously abstinent (p = 0.0069). Naltrexone is an effective and well-tolerated pharmacological adjunct to psychosocial and behavioral treatment programs for the treatment of adolescent alcohol-dependent patients.