Naltrexone Treatment of Alcohol Dependence

Inclusion Criteria: Meets criteria for current diagnosis of alcohol dependence. Subjects used more than 15 standard alcohol drinks (average)/week with at least 1 day of 5 or more drinks in the past 30 days. Successful completion of medical detoxification. Lives within a commutable distance to the Treatment Research Center and agrees to follow-up visits. Understands and signs the informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Current diagnosis of any substance dependence other than alcohol, nicotine, or marijuana. Evidence of opiate use in the past 30 days. Current treatment with psychotropic medications, including disulfiram (Antabuse) (excluding short-term use of benzodiazepines for detoxification). History of unstable or serious medical illness, including need for opioid analgesics. Severe physical or medical illnesses such as AIDS, active hepatitis, significant hepatocellular injury as evidenced by elevated bilirubin levels, and current severe psychiatric symptoms. Use of an investigation medication in the past 30 days. Female subjects who are pregnant, nursing, or not using reliable method of contraception.