Monitored naltrexone without Counseling for alcohol Abuse/Dependence in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders

This clinical trial assessed the effects of monitored naltrexone treatment in 19 subjects with schizophrenia spectrum and alchol use use disorders in an eight-week pro-spectrum and open pilot study. Naltrexone was directly administered to subjets in oral doses of 100mg on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 150mg on Fridays. Subjects received reimbursement for attending the tree weekly study visits. Subjects continued to receive their usual psychiatric care with no added alcohol counseling provided. Alcohol use was assessed by self-report and biomarkers. Psychosis severity was measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Subjects reported significant reductions in their number of drinks per week, drinks per drinking day, days of drinking to intoxication, and alcohol craving. Subjects also showed significant reductions in Addication Severity Index (ASI) alcohol composite scores and in PANSS positive, negative and general psycho-pathology scores. (Am J Addict 2007; 16253-259).