The purpose of this study is to test how tolerable and effective acamprosate is when used to prevent alcohol relapse in criminal justice supervisees (those on probation, parole, or in drug court).
Acamprosate has been an available treatment for alcohol dependence outside the United States and has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an effective therapy for alcohol dependence. In the past ten years, drug court programs have been implemented as one possible solution to reduce the burden placed on state and federal correctional systems. These programs are generally focused on non-violent drug dependent offenders and are offered as an alternative to incarceration. However, the use of acamprosate has never been examined for alcohol relapse prevention among a drug court population, or among those on probation or parole. Comparison: Alcohol-dependent criminal justice supervisees who receive acamprosate, compared to participants who do not receive acamprosate.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
26
Subjects randomized to receive acamprosate 333 mg tablets to be taken 3 times daily to prevent relapse to alcohol dependence
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Drinking and Other Drug Use
Number of participants using alcohol and other drugs during 12 weeks
Time frame: 12 weeks
Level of Acceptance
Number of participants taking study medication during 12 weeks
Time frame: 12 weeks
Retention in Drug Court
Number of participants remaining in drug treatment court program during 12 weeks
Time frame: 12 weeks
Recidivism Rates
Number of participants returning to jail during 12 weeks
Time frame: 12 weeks
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