Researchers discovered that naltrexone, an FDA-approved medicine for alcohol and opioid use disorder, dramatically reduced binge drinking, the number of drinks drunk, and alcohol cravings in male participants of the trial.
With binge drinking, an individual consumes a considerable amount of alcohol in a short period of time. This typically involves men consuming five or more drinks on a single occasion and women consuming four or more drinks.
This lifestyle can lead to alcohol poisoning, accidents, and other problems. It can also increase the likelihood of acquiring chronic health issues such as liver disease, high blood pressure, and some types of cancer.
In addition, binge drinking can result in impaired driving, hazardous sexual conduct, and violence. Typically, willpower is required to resist the impulse to consume multiple alcoholic beverages in one sitting. Nevertheless, scientists may have identified an additional method for reducing binge drinking urges.
A new study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry discovered that naltrexone, a nonaddictive medicine licensed to treat severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD), decreased excessive alcohol intake and binge drinking in men with mild to moderate AUD.
In the placebo-controlled, double-blind study, researchers recruited 120 males from sexual and gender minority groups who engaged in binge drinking or had mild to moderate AUD. The individuals received a placebo, 50 mg of naltrexone, or 12 weeks of therapy.
When they felt an urge to drink or were in a circumstance that increased their risk of binge drinking, individuals took either a placebo or naltrexone. In addition to recording their alcohol consumption, the research team assessed changes in alcohol biomarkers using urine and blood testing.
At completion of the experiment, the researchers discovered that naltrexone was associated with significant reductions in the number of binge-drinking days, the frequency of weekly binge-drinking occurrences, the amount of alcoholic drinks ingested, and the severity of alcohol cravings. Furthermore, these effects persisted six months following treatment.
Nausea, headaches, rash, and diarrhea were the most frequently seen adverse effects among individuals. However, the study authors emphasize that there were no statistically significant differences between the placebo and naltrexone groups.
According to the experts, their findings show that naltrexone may be an effective option for individuals who are not highly dependent on alcohol and who wish to manage their binge drinking.
