Alcohol Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Alcohol, including details on use, abuse, treatment, health, rehab.

Naltrexone treatment of combined alcohol and opioid dependence: deterioration of co-morbid major depression.

Schürks M, Overlack M, Bonnet U

Naltrexone is frequently used for the treatment of opioid or alcohol dependence. However, the reports on its potential to worsen affective disorders are contradicting. Here we report on a patient with combined alcohol and opioid dependence whose co-morbid major depression deteriorated reversibly and repeatedly under naltrexone. By exchanging buprenorphine for naltrexone, his depression and craving for alcohol and opioids disappeared. This underlines the close interaction between depression, substance dependence and the opioid system.

Published 3 March 2005 in Pharmacopsychiatry, 38(2): 100-2.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2009 Alcohol Research Today. All Rights Reserved.