Naltrexone treatment for addicted health-care professionals: a collaborative private practice experience

Sixty physicians and other health-care professionals with narcotic dependency were treated with naltrexone, 300 to 350 mg/week, in private physicians' offices. Patients remained on naltrexone treatment for an average of 8 months. On a global scale rating the degree of improvement in drug abuse, professional activities, and psychosocial adjustment, 29 patients were rated much improved and 31 either moderately or slightly improved. When these two groups were compared, it was found that more patients in the much improved group did not drink (p less than .01) and remained in naltrexone treatment longer than 6 months (p less than .01). Patients in the much improved group were also older (p less than .01). Naltrexone, used in the private practice setting, appears to be a useful treatment adjunct for addicted health-care professionals.