Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-qxdb6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T09:10:50.704Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Disulfiram Implantation Critically Evaluated

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

M. T. Malcolm
Affiliation:
West Cheshire Hospital, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH1 3ST
J. S. Madden
Affiliation:
West Cheshire Hospital, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH1 3ST
A. E. Williams
Affiliation:
Chester City Hospital, Hoole Lane, Chester

Extract

A previous paper (Malcolm and Madden, 1973) has described the use of disulfiram implantation as a method of treatment for some alcoholics. The results obtained were satisfactory, measured in terms of duration of abstinence and social improvements made in the post-implant period. However, it was suggested that the success of the implant might be due to psychological rather than pharmacological factors. In an effort to clarify the nature of any deterrent effect of the implant, further clinical and biochemical evidence has been collected.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1974 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Brown, M., Porter, G. S. & Williams, A. E. (1974) The determination of disulfiram in blood and of exhaled carbon disulphide using cathode ray polarography. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. In press.Google Scholar
Divatia, K. J., Hine, C. H. & Burbridoe, T. N. (1952) A simple method for the determination of Antabus and blood levels obtained experimentally in animals and clinically in man. Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine, 39, 974–82.Google ScholarPubMed
Eldjarn, L. (1950a) The metabolism of Antabus in the rat investigated by means of radioactive sulphur. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, 2, 198201.Google Scholar
Eldjarn, L. (1950b) The metabolism of Antabus in man investigated by means of radioactive sulphur. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, 2, 202208.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hald, J., Jacobsen, E. & Larsen, V. (1948) The sensitising effect of tetraethylthiuramdisulphide to ethyl-alcohol. Acta Pharmacologica et Toxicobgia, 4, 285–96.Google Scholar
Hald, J., Jacobsen, E. (1948) A drug sensitising the organism to ethyl alcohol. Lancet, ii, 1001–4.Google Scholar
Hrynkiewicz, L., Cyganik, L. & Luszpinski, J. (1966) Evaluation of personal experiences in treatment of alcoholics by Esperai implantation. Probl. Alkzmu. Wars., 14 (5–6), 78. (Abstracted in Quarterly Journal of Studies of Alcohol (1968), 29, 500.) Google Scholar
Kellam, A. M. P. (1969) Disulfiram implantation. Journal of Alcoholism, 4, 228.Google Scholar
Malcolm, M. T. & Madden, J. S. (1973) The use of disulfiram implantation in alcoholism. British Journal of Psychiatry, 123, 41–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Marie, C. (1955) Thèse de Paris. (Cit Jacques, D. (1970). Study of the use of disulfiram implants in the treatment of alcoholism. Centre International Alcoologie/Toxicomanies, Monograph Number 2, Lausanne.) Google Scholar
Martensen-Larsen, O. (1948) Treatment of alcoholism with a sensitising drug. Lancet, ii, 1004–6.Google Scholar
Merlevede, E. & Casier, H. (1961) Carbon disulphide in the expired air of disulfiram treated subjects. Archives Internationales de Pharmacodynamie et de Therapie, 132, 427–53.Google Scholar
Mieniewski, Z. (1967) Results of treatment with Esperal implantation. Probl. Alkzmu. Wars., 15, 67. (Abstracted in Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol (1968), 29, 500.) Google Scholar
Porter, G. S. & Williams, A. E. (1972) The determination of low concentrations of disulfiram by cathode ray polarography. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 24 (supplement), 144p145p.Google Scholar
Waclawik, P. (1970) Esperal treatment of alcoholism in the general hospital. Probl. Alkzmu. Wars., 18, 8. (Abstracted in Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol (1972), 33, 250.) Google Scholar
Whyte, C. R. & O'Brien, P. M. J. (1974) Disulfiram implant: a controlled trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, 124, 42–4.Google Scholar
Williams, A. E. (1974) The analysis of carbon disulphide in exhaled air by cathode ray polarography. Medical Laboratory Technology, In press.Google Scholar
Williams, E. C. (1937) Effect of alcohol on workers with carbon disulphide. Journal of the American Medical Association, 109, 1472–3.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.