Naltrexone, Craving, and Drinking

This 5-week study will examine the effects of naltrexone on alcohol craving, drinking rates, and reaction to drinking-related triggers, or cues, in participants' everyday environment and in laboratory sessions. Participants will monitor and record their daily desires to drink, environmental circumstances in which urges occur, and drinking behavior using a palm top computer. Participants will receive naltrexone or a placebo. One week after receiving medication, all participants will be asked to respond to alcohol-related cues that may or may not arouse the desire to drink.

Completed

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Key information

Conditions

Alcoholism Alcohol-Related Disorders Chemically-Induced Disorders Mental Disorders Substance-Related Disorders

Age range

21 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island, 02919, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Drink at least 4 days per week with 2 heavy drinking days (more than 6 standard drinks for men, more than 5 drinks for women) per week on average during the month prior to the study.

Exclusion criteria

Current interest in treatment or a history of treatment for alcohol problems.
History of liver disease or current liver function tests greater than five times normal.
Opiate abuse or dependence, any opiate use two weeks before the study or a urine test screen that is positive for opiates.
Females, who are pregnant, nursing, or not using reliable birth control method.
Daily use of acetaminophen.
Living with someone who participated in this study.

Treatment and study plan

Naltrexone 50 Mg

Drug

Daily 50 mg for 3 weeks

Placebo

Drug

Daily doses of placebo for 3 weeks

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Brown University

Other

Collaborators

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Registry information

Official study title

Naltrexone, Craving, and Drinking: Ecological Assessment

Important dates

Study completion: 2005
First posted: Sep 12, 2000
Registry last updated: Jun 13, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed