[Is disulfiram (Antabus) indicated in the treatment of offenders with alcohol use disorders?].

BACKGROUND

Research studies and clinical experience provided us with valuable information about the efficacy of disulfiram. Although supervised disulfiram treatment has been shown to improve outcome in court-referred patients too it is obviously rarely used in German forensic hospitals.

METHOD: Two cases illustrated the application of disulfiram to constitute an adjunct to treatment of forensic inpatients.

RESULTS

Disulfiram can be used as an adjunct for maintenance of abstinence when the relapse risk is due to insufficient impulse control.

DISCUSSION: The decision to use disulfiram to assure sobriety for high risk groups, e.g. criminal offenders is discussed.