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Combination Treatments Help Alcoholics Stay Sober
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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 "I was surprised that there was no effect greater than placebo for acamprosate, and I was also surprised at the magnitude of the placebo affect," said Dr. Henry Kranzler, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and author of an accompanying editorial.
He said the strong placebo effect may have something to do with the way the study volunteers are recruited. These people were already abstinent, and likely highly motivated to succeed.
He said there's definitely still a place for acamprosate in alcoholism treatment because it has been effective in other trials. "Clinical trials aren't perfect. Not too long ago, a major study from the VA showed that naltrexone had no effect," he pointed out.
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With any of these treatments, he said, "the effects aren't huge effects." But, they can help people who are motivated to stop drinking.
"Naltrexone is not the alcoholism pill. It's a medication that helps people reduce their risk of drinking. It's not a magic bullet," said Kranzler.
After a year, there wasn't a significant difference between the groups. On average, the groups had between 75 and 80 days completely abstinent. The CBI group only managed 67 abstinent days. Willenbring said findings may suggest the need for maintenance treatment, similar to that of other chronic diseases.
More information
Read this article from the American Academy of Family Physician's if you think you or someone you love has a drinking problem (familydoctor.org ).
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Copyright © 2006 ScoutNews LLC. All rights reserved.
Last updated 5/2/2006
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SOURCES: May 1, 2006, press conference with Mark Willenbring, M.D., director, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's (NIAAA) Division of Treatment and Recovery; Raymond Anton, M.D., director, Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston; Stephanie O'Malley, Ph.D., professor, psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, Conn.; Henry Kranzler, M.D., professor, psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Conn.; May 3, 2006, Journal of the American Medical Association
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