Nov. 13--David More ran away from home at 9. He experimented with drinking at 13. When he turned 17, his brother, after getting into a scuffle with him, committed suicide with their father's pistol.

By the time he was 21, the Independence, Mo., man said he was pretty much an alcoholic.

"That's when my experimenting went into overdrive," Mr. More said. It got even worse in his 20s, when his son was killed in a car wreck.

For 37 of his 50 years on earth, Mr. More said he's had troubles with the bottle. Only a few stints in prison kept him sober. That was until after he came to Family Guidance Center's addiction treatment services in August, and he began taking a new drug to help curb his alcohol cravings.

Mr. More received his first shot of Vivitrol five weeks ago. He's now looking forward to his second, he said.

"I don't have cravings. Every time before, I always went back," Mr. More said. "This time around, there is absolutely no craving."

Vivitrol is a new, extended-release, injectable form of Naltrexone for the treatment of alcohol dependence. It works by blocking the opiate receptors and pleasure centers in the brain, which in turn makes alcohol use less rewarding. One Vivitrol injection lasts 30 days.

Family Guidance Center's addiction treatment services began offering Vivitrol for its clients in September. Currently, 12 of their treatment center clients are voluntarily taking the medication, said Myra Trickey, Family Guidance Center vice president. Clients wishing to try Vivitrol have to undergo a physical exam, urinalysis and lab work to be sure they're able to take the drug.

"Vivitrol is not right for every person," Ms. Trickey said. "If you've got liver disease or hepatic failure of any type, this is not for you. You also cannot have any opioids (narcotic pain medication) in your system, because it could kill you."

Of the 200 clients enrolled in the treatment program, half are there for alcohol dependence.

According to a 2004 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) study, alcohol dependence is a growing problem in Missouri.

The study showed there were 13,266 admissions in Missouri where a person's primary drug of choice was alcohol. That figure was higher than in Kansas, with 6,761 admissions, Iowa with 13,250 and Nebraska with 10,871.

Leo Hammel, treatment services program manager, said Vivitrol has an excellent success rate. The focus date is for six to 18 months of use, but some people have been on the medication for four years and have not had any side effects.

"I've had clients use alcohol while on Vivitrol, and they said they just fall asleep. They don't get any pleasure whatsoever," Mr. Hammel said.

Mr. More said the Vivitrol, plus the classes at the Family Guidance Center and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings all contribute to his sobriety. His goal is to eventually become an alcohol treatment counselor.

"If you abuse alcohol, there is no other choice," Mr. More said. "With Vivitrol, active AA sponsorship and counseling, you stand more than just a chance."

Alonzo Weston can be reached

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