background There is an increasing interest in the agent naltrexon, an opiate-antagonist, in the treatment of opiate-addicts. Evidence suggests that the effects of this agent are the most favourable supposition when combined with a psychosocial intervention programme as in the Community Reinforcement Approach (cra).
aims This open study presents the results of a combined naltrexon/cra treatment (n = 24) and consists of a pre-post measurement.
methods An open (n = 24) consisting of a pre-post measurement.
results After a period of six months 58% (14/24) did not relapse, after one year at least 55% (12/22) still met the initial goal of abstinence. A comparison was made between the abstinence group and those clients relapsing into frequent opioid use. The differences found were significant in the cluster b-score of personality disorders and in polydrug users. Nevertheless the results of these subgroups were unexpectantly good. Compared to a methadon population (n = 20), the intervention population was representative in several different areas including addiction, demographic, legal, psychopathology and specific personality disorders.
conclusion The combination of naltrexon/intensive cra in an outpatient setting appears to be promising.