The use of naltrexone to treat ambulatory patients with alcohol dependence

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Naltrexone in decreasing craving symptoms among Puerto Rican male veterans with alcohol dependence. METHOD: This is a double blind placebo control study with a convenience sample of eleven patients divided in two groups (placebo and Naltrexone). Scales consisting of Zung Depression, Zung Anxiety, MMSE, OCD Screener, Craving, and Somatization were administered at baseline, and weekly for four weeks as follow up. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups on any of the outcome variables at baseline or follow up measurements. A statistical trend was noted toward a decrease in somatization. A decrease in craving symptoms was observed in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: Even though our results did not show evidence of the efficacy of Naltrexone in decreasing craving symptoms, a small number of patients did benefit from the medication. The results could have been affected by the small sample size

Surveillance, prevention and control of drug abuse in hospitals

Every citizen is morally responsible to contribute to solve the drug problem in the national front. Though we may understand that the uninformed and the naive may experiment with drugs, we do not expect patients nor hospital personnel to abuse them in the treatment environment. But hospitals are also hit by the epidemic. For long we have recognized how drug abuse adds comorbidity to medical care. But abuse of drugs by hospital personnel not only alters community expectations of health care professionals but has a tremendous impact on productivity. Here I recommend specific management strategies for the surveillance, prevention and control drug abuse within the hospital environment