TY - JOUR
T1 - The treatment of heroin addiction
T2 - Naltrexone alone and with behavior therapy
AU - Callahan, Edward J
AU - Rawson, R. A.
AU - McCleave, B.
AU - Arias, R.
AU - Glazer, M.
AU - Liberman, R. P.
PY - 1980
Y1 - 1980
N2 - Recently, narcotic antagonists (drugs which block the euphoric effects of opiates) and behavior therapy have both been proposed as possible treatments for heroin addiction. In the present study the effectiveness of one particular antagonist, naltrexone, was examined under two conditions: (1) when administered alone, and (2) when administered in conjunction with behavior therapy. Measures of treatment effect included number of days on naltrexone, number of weeks in the program, reported side effects, and number of dirty urines in each treatment. While data initially indicated a superiority of the combined treatment program, this superiority faded over time. Results are discussed in terms of program start-up effects (especially when using experimental drugs), in terms of process versus outcome measurement, and in terms of societal pressure operating against the success of heroin treatment in minority populations with poor job skills.
AB - Recently, narcotic antagonists (drugs which block the euphoric effects of opiates) and behavior therapy have both been proposed as possible treatments for heroin addiction. In the present study the effectiveness of one particular antagonist, naltrexone, was examined under two conditions: (1) when administered alone, and (2) when administered in conjunction with behavior therapy. Measures of treatment effect included number of days on naltrexone, number of weeks in the program, reported side effects, and number of dirty urines in each treatment. While data initially indicated a superiority of the combined treatment program, this superiority faded over time. Results are discussed in terms of program start-up effects (especially when using experimental drugs), in terms of process versus outcome measurement, and in terms of societal pressure operating against the success of heroin treatment in minority populations with poor job skills.
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M3 - Article
C2 - 7461877
AN - SCOPUS:0019203803
VL - 15
SP - 795
EP - 807
JO - Substance Use and Misuse
JF - Substance Use and Misuse
SN - 1082-6084
IS - 6
ER -