Naltrexone for opioid dependence: evaluation of a manualized psychosocial protocol to enhance treatment response

The clinical application of the narcotic antagonist, naltrexone for the treatment of opioid dependence has been minimal. This study evaluated the impact of a multi-component, manualized, psychosocial protocol designed to enhance the clinical value of naltrexone for opioid dependence treatment. Eighty-one detoxified individuals meeting DSM-IV criteria for opioid dependence were inducted onto naltrexone and randomly assigned to either a standard (ST) group, with monthly medical monitoring visits, or an enhanced (EN) group in which participants received counseling and educational interventions three times per week. EN group participants took more study medication, were retained in treatment longer, used less opioids while in treatment and showed greater improvement on a number of psychological/affective dimensions. The improved performance of the EN group was relatively short-lived as there were no significant group differences at 6- or 12-month post-admission follow-up points. \[Rawson RA, McCann MJ, Shopta...