Cognitive behavioural therapy combined with the relapse-prevention medication acamprosate: are short-term treatment outcomes for alcohol dependence improved?

OBJECTIVE The relapse prevention medication acamprosate has been recently introduced to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Overseas clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of using acamprosate as an adjunct to existing psychotherapeutic approaches. Research has not examined treatment outcomes using a standardized clinical approach. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of adding acamprosate to an established abstinence-based outpatient alcohol rehabilitation programme in an Australian population. METHODS Fifty patients participated in an established 12-week, outpatient, "contract" based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) alcohol abstinence programme and received acamprosate (CBT + acamprosate). Patients weighing > or = 60 kg were prescribed acamprosate calcium 333 mg tablets, two tablets three times daily (1998 mg/day) and those weighing < 60 kg received four tablets (1332 mg/day) daily. Outcomes were compared with 50 historical, matched controls, all of whom participated in the same program without a relapse prevention medication (CBT alone). All patients met DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence and the majority were socially disadvantaged. RESULTS Programme attendance across the eight treatment sessions was similar in both the CBT + acamprosate and the CBT alone conditions (P = 0.268). Relapse to alcohol use occurred sooner and more frequently in the CBT alone group (P = < 0.0005). Rehabilitation programme completion at 12 weeks was 42% (CBT + acamprosate) compared with 32% for (CBT alone) (P = < 0.204). Alcohol abstinence at 12 weeks was 38% (CBT + acamprosate) compared with 14% (CBT alone) (P = < 0.006). CONCLUSION Even within an alcohol dependent population characterized by poor prognostic indices, the addition of acamprosate to an established CBT outpatient programme significantly improved abstinence rates over a 12-week period. The use of acamprosate as an adjunctive treatment for alcohol dependence should be encouraged in Australia.

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