This case describes a heroin addict who was participating in a placebo-cont
rolled randomized trial of naltrexone as an aid to relapse prevention. The
patient tried to commit suicide by taking a heroin overdose after learning
that he was HIV-positive. He was on naltrexone at the time and, as a result
, survived what would probably have been a fatal overdose. This case demons
trates that naltrexone can have immediate as well as long-term positive eff
ects in persons who are attempting to recover from heroin addiction. Copyri
ght (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.