Behavioral Therapy Plus Naltrexone for Alcoholism

Inclusion criteria

• Meets criteria for alcohol dependence, has not had more than one previous inpatient medical detoxification.
• Consumes on average five standard drinks per day.
• Able to maintain sobriety for five days (with or without the aid of detoxification medications) as determined by self-report, collateral report, and breathalyzer measurements.
• Able to read and understand questionnaires and informed consent.
• Lives within 50 miles of the study site.

Exclusion criteria

• Currently meets criteria for any other psychoactive substance dependency disorder.
• Ever abused opiates.
• Used psychoactive substance abuse, except marijuana, within the last 30 days as evidenced by patient report, collateral report, and urine drug screen.
• Meets criteria for disorders of major depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress syndrome, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, or any other psychotic disorder or organic mental disorder.
• Meets criteria for dissociate disorder or eating disorders.
• Has current suicidal or homicidal ideation.
• Need for maintenance or acute treatment with any psychoactive medication including antiseizure medications.
• Current use of disulfiram (Antabuse).
• Clinically significant medical problems that would impair participation or limit medication ingestion.
• Hepatocellular disease.
• Sexually active females of child bearing potential who are pregnant, nursing, or who are not using a reliable form of birth control.
• Have current charges pending for a violent crime.
• Does not have a stable living situation and a reliable source of collateral reporting.
• Has taken an opiate antagonist drug in the last month.