Pharmacological relapse prevention of alcoholism: clinical predictors of outcome.

OBJECTIVE

The efficacy of pharmacological relapse prevention in alcoholism with acamprosate and naltrexone has been supported by several controlled trials. It remains uncertain whether any differential indication for treatment exists.

METHODS

We evaluated outcome data of a controlled trial on acamprosate and naltrexone in patients with low vs. high baseline somatic distress, depression and anxiety (Symptom Checklist-90, SCL-90), low vs. high baseline craving, and according to typological differentiation as proposed by Cloninger and Lesch. These variables have previously been suggested to be predictors of outcome.

RESULTS

Comparing the course of abstinence rates, acamprosate was mainly efficacious in patients with low baseline somatic distress, whereas naltrexone was effective especially in patients with high baseline depression. Baseline craving showed no predictive value. Pharmacological treatment was efficacious in type II alcoholics according to Cloninger. Applying Lesch's typological differentiation, acamprosate was shown to be mainly effective in type I, whereas naltrexone revealed best treatment effects in type III and IV.

CONCLUSION

The study supports the hypothesis that different subgroups of alcohol dependent subjects might benefit from a differential treatment with either naltrexone or acamprosate. Baseline psychopathology and especially typological differentiation might be useful in matching patients to distinct pharmacotherapeutic interventions. .