The Treatment of Alcoholism with Tetraethylthiuram Disulfide in a State Mental Hospital. A Clinical Study Based on 43 Cases

Abstract

TETD, without psychotherapy, was given to 43 alcoholics following detailed organic and psychological evaluation. The patients were scored according to their degree of vocational, residential, family, and marital stability, using Straus and Bacon''s index of social stability. The patients volunteered for treatment and the "experience session" (controlled TETD-alcohol reaction) and TETD admn. were conducted as in-patient procedures in the medical unit. Experience session reactions were routinely severe with marked hypotension and often unconsciousness. One patient developed 2:1 heart block and another suffered a grand mal seizure; both recovered without evident damage. The patients were followed for from 7 to 15 months. Eight cases remained sober over 6 months, while 33 returned to their former drinking habits, usually within 2 months. At {he end of the follow-up period, there was no evidence of damage to renal, portal, cardiac or hematopoietic systems. It was demonstrated that the group of patients with higher indices of social stability yielded a higher percentage of successful outcomes. Recommendations of the author included hospitalization for the experience session, detailed evaluation of the patients renal, portal, cardiac and hematopoietic systems. The psychological implications of TETD treatment require further study as to the dynamic interrelationships between patient, physician and family; it is suggested that TETD may be useful as an adjunct to psychotherapy in the production of sobriety and conscious anxiety.