[Naltrexone in the therapeutic relation in cases of opioid abuse and dependence]

The paper describes the use of naltrexone, an opium-receptor antagonist, in the multimodal treatment of drug addiction and in particular in preventing the recidivation of heroin abuse. Naltrexone appears to lack the ambiguous characteristics of methadone which, in spite of not provoking all the effects of heroin, may be seen by the drug addict as a reasonable substitute, in particular if it is difficult to find. Since naltrexone is clearly a member of the drug category, and does not overlap into the pleasure category, it is possible to break the perverse triangle which is often created between the drug addict, doctor and methadone, thus making it possible to install a more authentic relationship between operators and the users of Ser.T.