In the field setting, subjects are allowed to self-administer alcohol in a bar setting after chronic administration of active medication or placebo that is thought to change drinking behaviors. My applied research involves clinical trials of innovative psychotherapies and new medications for treating alcohol dependence. I am currently conducting a clinical trial designed to examine the effects of two different dosing schedules of the opiate antagonist, naltrexone, on reducing hazardous levels of alcohol consumption in non-alcohol dependent alcohol abusers at the Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center. I am also conducting a clinical trial designed to examine the effects of two different dosing schedules of the opiate antagonist, naltrexone combined with a moderate intensity broad spectrum therapy or a low intensity motivational enhancement therapy for reducing and deterring alcohol consumption in alcohol dependent patients at Fairbanks Hospital. The effects of naltrexone on alcohol self-administration in Heavy drinkers.
Naltrexone increases the latency to drink alcohol in social drinkers.