Successful use of naltrexone in addicted physicians and business executives

Abstract

Naltrexone was administered to 114 opiate-dependent business executives and 15 opiate-dependent physicians as part of a comprehensive outpatient aftercare program following inpatient detoxification using clonidine. Over 80% of patients successfully completed at least 6 months of treatment without relapse or re-addiction and were still drug-free at 12-18 month follow-up. Patients who completed at least 6 months of treatment were more likely to be opiate free at follow-up than patients who had dropped out at an earlier point in the program. This study demonstrates that naltrexone can be an extremely useful and appropriate treatment for highly motivated middle/upper class addicts when administered within the context of an intensive high-expectation program.