Does psychosocial treatment enhance the efficacy of acamprosate in patients with alcohol problems?
Author(s): De Wildt WA, Schippers GM, Van Den Brink W, Potgieter AS, Deckers F, Bets D Affiliation(s): The Amsterdam Institute for Addiction Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Publication date & source: 2002-07, Alcohol Alcohol., 37(4):375-82. Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial AIMS: Acamprosate in combination with psychosocial treatment has been shown to be effective for the treatment of alcohol dependence. The goal of the present study was to determine whether the addition of psychosocial intervention to the medical prescription of acamprosate contributes to treatment outcome. METHODS: Patients (n = 248) meeting DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence or abuse were recruited in 14 outpatient treatment centres and randomized into one of three treatment conditions: acamprosate; acamprosate plus minimal intervention aimed at motivational enhancement (3-weekly sessions of 20 min); and acamprosate plus brief cognitive behavioural therapy (7-weekly sessions of
