Client demographics and outcome in outpatient cocaine treatment.

A number of studies have begun to investigate the characteristics of cocaine abusers who are admitted to outpatient cocaine treatment programs. One study has published success rates for such treatment. A review of this literature indicates that much of what is known is based on clinical experience with what may be nonrepresentative samples of upper-middle socioeconomic status Caucasians.

Naltrexone: lack of effect on hepatic enzymes.

A number of studies have established the clinical efficacy of naltrexone in the treatment of opiate addiction. However, questions have been raised regarding its hepatotoxic potential and warnings have been given prominence in the package insert regarding its use for those with even less severe liver disease. The current study monitored 53 male patients receiving naltrexone 350 mg weekly for 12 weeks.

Retention and outcome in a narcotic antagonist treatment program.

Investigations of outpatient narcotic antagonist programs have found high attribution rates when compared to such modalities as methadone. Moreover, outcome studies generally are lacking. The present study followed 50 patients through their course of treatment at an outpatient clinic of the Nassau County Department of Drug and Alcohol Addiction.

Naltrexone treatment in a jail work-release program.

Inmates with a history of opiate addiction have traditionally been excluded from jail work-release programs because of their high likelihood of returning to drug use. In 1972, a new jail work-release program was begun in the Nassau County (New York) Jail, to which addicted inmates, who had formerly been excluded automatically, could request admission if they took the opiate blocking agent naltrexone. Inmates received naltrexone twice a week and had routine urine checks for drugs of abuse and an alcohol breath test when indicated.

Controlled clinical study of naltrexone side effects comparing first-day doses and maintenance regimens.

In a controlled double-blind clinical study, 42 patients reported side effects and severity of side effects to naltrexone on three different first-day doses and maintenance dosage regimens. Initiating doses of 25, 100, and 150 mg were administered. The maintenance regimens involved 350 mg of naltrexone per week for 4 weeks with drug administration in Group A, five times weekly; in Group B, three times weekly; and in Group C, twice weekly.

Naltrexone and cyclazocine. A controlled treatment study.

The induction side effects of cyclazocine and naltrexone were compared in double-blind placebo-controlled studies involving 40 patients (20 for each drug). These studies were carried out with a twice-a-day dosage regimen. Naltrexone produced fewer side effects than cyclazocine.

Personality factors and drug effects in a controlled study of cyclazocine.

This paper investigated the relationship between measurable personality factors and level of effects shown to cyclazocine and placebo in a controlled study. An attempt also was made through case analysis to examine the association between dynamic aspects of personality and adverse drug effect. Hysteria scores on the MMPI were found to be related significantly to self-reported effects under both the drug and placebo conditions.