Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

CG115/6

Question

For people with alcohol dependence, which medication is most likely to improve adherence and thereby promote abstinence and prevent relapse?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- Rates of attrition in trials of drugs to promote abstinence and prevent relapse in alcohol dependence are high (often over 65%), yet despite this the interventions are still clinically and cost effective. Retaining more service users in treatment could further significantly improve outcomes for people who misuse alcohol and ensure increased effectiveness in the use of health service resources. The outcome of these studies may also help improve clinical confidence in the use of effective medications (such as acamprosate and naltrexone), which despite their cost effectiveness are currently offered to only a minority of eligible NHS service users. Overall, the results of these studies will have important implications for the provision of pharmacological treatment in the NHS for alcohol misuse.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking (high-risk drinking) and alcohol dependence

Number

CG115

Date issued

February 2011

Other details