Naltrexone for 3 or 12 months in addition to psychosocial counselling did not reduce drinking in alcohol dependence.

Patients 627 outpatients (mean age 49 y, 98% men) who had a diagnosis of alcohol dependence according to DSM-IV criteria, who had not drunk for >5 days, but who had a recent history of drinking to intoxication (heavy drinking at least twice during a 1 week period in the 30 days before screening, where heavy drinking was defined as >6 drinks for men and >4 drinks for women). Exclusion criteria included previous use of naltrexone, other substance abuse or dependence, and psychiatric diagnoses requiring medication. Follow up was 90% and 93% at 13 and 52 weeks, respectively.