DRUG OFFERS HOPE FOR ADDICTS

The controversial drug naltrexone will be available on prescription
from next month in Australia to treat alcoholism and heroin addiction.

But doctors have warned that naltrexone is no magical cure for alcohol
abuse and that it should be used in combination with
counselling.

News of the drug's availability came after the release of promising
findings from a Melbourne study on the drug's effectiveness in
treating alcoholism.

Researchers found that just over half the alcoholics who took the
anti-opiate in a 12-week trial did not relapse to problematic drinking.

A Therapeutic Goods Administration spokesman said the registration of
naltrexone or ReVia would enable any doctor, including general
practitioners, to prescribe it in tablet form for maintenance
treatment, but not for rapid detoxification.

One of the study's investigators, Dr Mal Hopwood, said the
availability of naltrexone would give alcoholics a better chance of
beating their addiction.

"Currently in the treatment of alcohol-related problems there is
really no medication that's particularly helpful," said Dr Hopwood, a
consultant psychiatrist at the Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre.

Until now the drug has been available only in clinical trials of rapid
detoxification for heroin users and in trials to treat alcohol abuse.

Dr Hopwood said alcohol dependence was a very difficult problem to
treat and often was under-reported.

"I think in the end we are pleasantly surprised. It would seem to be
of clear benefit, it is not for everyone and all of those usual riders
apply," he said.

Seventy-one men, all former military personnel, completed the trial.
All had been dependent on alcohol for at least five years, and some
for much longer. They ranged in age from 35 to 65 years.

Fifty-one per cent of the men who took a daily naltrexone tablet and
participated in weekly group therapy did not relapse to problem
drinking. But the relapse rate of those who took a placebo and
underwent therapy was much higher, at 75 per cent.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Austin and
Repatriation Medical Centre and StVincent's Hospital. It was funded by
the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Dr Hopwood said few side-effects of the medication were reported apart
from a low incidence of nausea.

Another study investigator, Professor Philip Morris, said the findings
were groundbreaking, but said more investigation was needed. "Further
questions need to be addressed, including how long patients should
stay on naltrexone treatment and whether other psychotropic drugs can
be used in combination with naltrexone to improve results," he said.