Naltrexone and alcoholism

Naltrexone is used in the treatment of alcoholism. It blocks the pleasurable feelings people get from drinking alcohol and reduces the motivation to drink. Michael Soyka and Suanne Roesner from the University of Munich reviewed 50 studies into the effectiveness of naltrexone covering a total of nearly 7,800 participants. They found that, compared to a placebo, people taking naltrexone were 17% less likely to return to heavy drinking. The trials tested naltrexone used in conjunction with counselling or a 12-step programme, like Alcoholics Anonymous, and the authors of the study warned that although it might help some people, it was not a miracle cure.