Update of naltrexone treatment

Abstract

To summarize, then, our work with naltrexone in a multi-modality treatment program indicates that it appeals to about 5-10 percent of narcotic addicts--those who conciously want to obtain drug-free status. It does significantly attentuate the effect of narcotics to the extent that they lose their reinforcing properties, and it has minimal side effects. Although we treated a self-selected population, it is noteworthy that about 10 percent of those who remained on naltrexone for more than a week were still opiate free 6 months after cessation of treatment. For some it appeared to be a turning point in their lives. It was the first time in years that they could live in their neighborhood and not be either intoxicated or occupied with the pursuit of narcotics. Our behavioral studies have identified a number of conditioned psychophysiological responses associated with the self-injection ritual. So far, although we have succeeded in extinguishing some of these responses, this has not resulted in an improved clinical outcome. We are currently working on more comprehensive behavioral treatments, but the clinical significance of these conditioned responses is uncertain at present.