Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government
Veterans Benefits and Health Care About VA Find a VA Location

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR&D Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Reductions in Alcohol Craving Following Naltrexone Treatment for Heavy Drinking.

Helstrom AW, Blow FC, Slaymaker V, Kranzler HR, Leong S, Oslin D. Reductions in Alcohol Craving Following Naltrexone Treatment for Heavy Drinking. Alcohol and Alcoholism. 2016 Sep 1; 51(5):562-6.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.    Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions


Abstract:

AIMS: The role of craving for alcohol as a response to alcohol treatment is not well understood. We examined daily diary ratings of craving over the course of 28 days among individuals participating in an inpatient substance abuse treatment program. METHODS: Participants were alcohol dependent patients (n  =  100) in the Hazelden residential treatment program who were offered and agreed to take naltrexone and an age- and gender-matched comparison group (n  =  100) of alcohol-dependent patients in the same program who declined the offer of treatment with naltrexone. Changes in craving over time were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The naltrexone-treated group reported a more rapid decrease in craving than the usual care group. CONCLUSIONS: The change in the trajectory of craving is consistent with prior reports suggesting that craving reduction is a mechanism of naltrexone's efficacy in treating alcohol dependence. Providing naltrexone to individuals seeking treatment for alcohol dependence may accelerate a reduction in their craving, consistent with a primary target of many addiction treatment programs. SHORT SUMMARY: Craving ratings by 100 residential patients taking naltrexone for alcohol dependence were compared to ratings by 100 patients who did not take naltrexone. Craving for alcohol decreased more rapidly in the patients taking naltrexone. Providing naltrexone to individuals seeking treatment for alcohol dependence may accelerate a reduction in craving, which may benefit treatment efforts.




Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.