A pilot study on the effects of treatment with acamprosate on craving for alcohol in alcohol-dependent patients.
This study investigated the effects of treatment with acamprosate on craving for alcohol by using a contextual priming task with alcohol and neutral words and craving questionnaires (ACQ, OCDS) in alcohol-dependent patients who abstained from alcohol for 6 weeks. The acamprosate-treated group (n = 16) were given 666 mg t.d.s. with standard group-work aimed at abstinence. The unmedicated control group (n = 13) received only standard group therapy. The results showed that the acamprosate treated group was faster in their responses to craving-related stimuli and scored lower on craving questionnaires during week 6 compared with week 2. Our results suggest that acamprosate may play a role in reduction of craving for alcohol after 6 weeks of treatment.
Weinstein
Aviv
A
Psychopharmacology Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, UK. avivweinstein@yahoo.com
Feldtkeller
Barbara
B
Feeney
Adrian
A
Lingford-Hughes
Anne
A
Nutt
David
D
D000077443:Acamprosate; D000328:Adult; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013695:Temperance; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014825:Vocabulary
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D013654:Taurine; D000077443:Acamprosate