A randomized control trial of group counseling in a naltrexone treatment program

This study evaluated the additional effectiveness of a 12-week manualized group counseling program over a structured naltrexone treatment program. The randomized controlled trial, the first of its kind in Australia, was conducted at Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, Melbourne, Australia. Ninety-seven participants received a 50 mg dose of naltrexone daily and were randomized to either the experimental (n = 52) or control (n = 45) conditions. The experimental group received a structured group counseling program, which used a cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention approach. Using intention-to-treat analyses, there was only one statistically significant difference between the groups, with the control group reporting a significantly higher level of physical functioning at Week 6. All participants improved significantly in their level of heroin use and in psychosocial functioning between Baseline and Weeks 6, 12, and 24. It is not possible to conclude from these results whether or not group counseling provides additional benefit to naltrexone treatment.