Evaluation of lithium therapy for alcoholism.
The efficacy of lithium therapy for alcoholism was examined in 84 alcoholic volunteers admitted for rehabilitation. Subjects were randomly assigned to a lithium or placebo treatment condition for 18 months, and were reinterviewed monthly to document their compliance, drinking status, and mood. Two separate factors contributed to abstinent outcome: therapeutic serum lithium levels (greater than or equal to 0.4 mEq/L) and medication compliance. Recommendations are proposed for studying compliance effects in future treatment studies.
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011897:Random Allocation; D012008:Recurrence
D010919:Placebos; D008094:Lithium