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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/dec/01/baclofen-alcoholism-cure-pill-no-better-than-counselling-study
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| Baclofen: alcoholism 'cure' pill no better than counselling – study Baclofen: alcoholism 'cure' pill no better than counselling – study | |
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| A drug being touted and prescribed as a cure for alcoholism may not work any better than counselling, Dutch researchers have said. | A drug being touted and prescribed as a cure for alcoholism may not work any better than counselling, Dutch researchers have said. |
| Without proof of its efficacy, prescribing high doses of the drug known as baclofen may be irresponsible, they warned. | Without proof of its efficacy, prescribing high doses of the drug known as baclofen may be irresponsible, they warned. |
| “Prescribing baclofen widely as it currently happens in France might be premature and should be reconsidered,” a Dutch research team wrote in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology. | “Prescribing baclofen widely as it currently happens in France might be premature and should be reconsidered,” a Dutch research team wrote in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology. |
| Two years ago French health authorities approved use of the drug for treating alcoholism. It was originally designed and widely used to treat muscle spasms. | Two years ago French health authorities approved use of the drug for treating alcoholism. It was originally designed and widely used to treat muscle spasms. |
| Many people in other countries are thought to use the drug without a prescription for alcoholism. | Many people in other countries are thought to use the drug without a prescription for alcoholism. |
| Interest was sparked in 2008 by a book, Le Dernier Verre (The Last Drink), by French-American cardiologist Olivier Ameisen, who claimed to have self-treated his alcoholism with high doses of baclofen. | Interest was sparked in 2008 by a book, Le Dernier Verre (The Last Drink), by French-American cardiologist Olivier Ameisen, who claimed to have self-treated his alcoholism with high doses of baclofen. |
| A subsequent French trial said high doses of the drug caused a significant percentage of heavy drinkers to give up or moderate their intake. | A subsequent French trial said high doses of the drug caused a significant percentage of heavy drinkers to give up or moderate their intake. |
| Several trials since then have come up with contradictory findings. | Several trials since then have come up with contradictory findings. |
| The latest study was the largest randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial – widely considered the gold standard for drug trials, said the researchers. | The latest study was the largest randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial – widely considered the gold standard for drug trials, said the researchers. |
| Volunteers were randomly divided into groups – some receiving the drug and others a dummy “placebo” pill without the participants or the researchers knowing who was getting what. | Volunteers were randomly divided into groups – some receiving the drug and others a dummy “placebo” pill without the participants or the researchers knowing who was getting what. |
| The study enrolled 151 people from alcohol treatment centres in the Netherlands. They were divided into high, low and no-dose groups, and all received psychological counselling throughout. | The study enrolled 151 people from alcohol treatment centres in the Netherlands. They were divided into high, low and no-dose groups, and all received psychological counselling throughout. |
| Comparing the outcomes, the group concluded that “neither low nor high doses of baclofen were effective in the treatment of AD (alcohol dependence)”. | Comparing the outcomes, the group concluded that “neither low nor high doses of baclofen were effective in the treatment of AD (alcohol dependence)”. |
| There was no difference in relapse speed or rate between the groups. | There was no difference in relapse speed or rate between the groups. |
| “We need to consider safety and side effects,” said study co-author Reinout Wiers from the University of Amsterdam. | “We need to consider safety and side effects,” said study co-author Reinout Wiers from the University of Amsterdam. |
| “We are not closing the door on baclofen but we are saying that we need more research.” | “We are not closing the door on baclofen but we are saying that we need more research.” |
| According to the World Health Organization 3.3 million deaths around the globe every year are the result of harmful alcohol use – almost 6% of all people who die. | According to the World Health Organization 3.3 million deaths around the globe every year are the result of harmful alcohol use – almost 6% of all people who die. |