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Incidence of craving for and abuse of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in different populations of treated alcoholics: an open comparative study

"G. Fontana" Centre for the Study and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Alcohol Addiction, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardioangiology and Hepatology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, fabio-caputo{at}libero.it, Department of Internal Medicine, SS Annunziata Hospital, Cento (Ferrara), Italy

S. Francini

"G. Fontana" Centre for the Study and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Alcohol Addiction, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardioangiology and Hepatology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

M. Stoppo

"G. Fontana" Centre for the Study and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Alcohol Addiction, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardioangiology and Hepatology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

F. Lorenzini

4 "G. Fontana" Centre for the Study and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Alcohol Addiction, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardioangiology and Hepatology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

T. Vignoli

"G. Fontana" Centre for the Study and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Alcohol Addiction, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardioangiology and Hepatology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

A. Del Re

Unit for Addiction Treatment, Department of Mental Health, AUSL of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

C. Comaschi

Unit for Addiction Treatment, Department of Mental Health, AUSL of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

L. Leggio

Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy

G. Addolorato

3Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy

G. Zoli

Department of Internal Medicine, SS Annunziata Hospital, Cento (Ferrara), Italy

M. Bernardi

"G. Fontana" Centre for the Study and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Alcohol Addiction, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardioangiology and Hepatology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a drug currently used for the treatment of alcohol dependence. The aim of our study was to investigate the incidence of craving for and abuse of GHB in 47 patients enrolled and divided into four groups: group A (pure alcoholics), group B (alcoholics with a sustained full remission from cocaine dependence), group C (alcoholics with a sustained full remission from heroin dependence) and group D (alcoholics in a methadone maintenance treatment [MMT] programme). All patients were treated with an oral dose of GHB (50 mg/kg of body weight t.i.d.) for three months. Craving for GHB was statistically significant higher in group B than in group A (P < 0.001), C (P = 0.01) and D (P < 0.001), and in group C than in group D (P < 0.05). Abuse of GHB proved to be statistically significant higher in group B than in group A (P < 0.001) and D (P < 0.01), and in group C than in group A (P = 0.01) and D (P < 0.05). Thus, the administration of GHB in alcoholics with a sustained full remission from heroin or cocaine dependence is not recommended; however, this should not discourage physicians from using GHB for the treatment of pure alcoholics or alcohol dependents following a MMT.

Key Words: craving for and abuse of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid • different population of alcoholics • treatment of alcohol-dependence

This version was published on November 1, 2009

Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 23, No. 8, 883-890 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0269881108094620


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