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Published on: June 23, 2023
Disulfiram in severe alcoholism--an open controlled study
Jakob Ulrichsen1, Mogens Kai Nielsen, Michelle Ulrichsen
1Psychiatric Center Gentofte, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Denmark. jakobulrichsen@mac.com
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry
|March 20, 2010
Summary
Supervised disulfiram treatment showed no significant improvement in abstinence rates for alcohol dependence. This study found limited evidence for disulfiram
Area of Science:
- Clinical Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Disulfiram is widely used in Denmark for alcoholism treatment despite limited supporting evidence.
- Alcohol dependence remains a significant public health concern requiring effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of supervised disulfiram administration in treating alcohol dependence.
- To assess the impact of disulfiram on abstinence rates and time to first drink.
Main Methods:
- Open-label randomized trial involving 39 patients with alcohol dependence.
- Patients received either supervised disulfiram (800 mg twice weekly for 26 weeks) or no disulfiram, alongside cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in abstinence rates between the disulfiram group (26%) and the control group (20%).
- A non-significant trend towards increased time to first drink in the disulfiram group.
- Lower completion rates of group CBT therapy observed in the disulfiram group.
Conclusions:
- Supervised disulfiram administration demonstrated no significant impact on treatment outcomes for alcohol dependence.
- Further research may be needed to clarify the role of disulfiram in addiction treatment.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy completion rates were lower in patients receiving disulfiram.
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