A cure for alcoholics?

Does the story adequately discuss the costs of the intervention?

Not Satisfactory

There was no discussion of the costs associated with this treatment other than to raise the point that the French physician interviewed intended to take it for the rest of his life.

Does the story adequately quantify the benefits of the treatment/test/product/procedure?

Not Satisfactory

The benefits of treatment for one patient, the doctor interviewed in this piece, were described.  The doctor made a claim that he was able to even have a drink, without problem.  This claim was not critically examined.

The story mentioned a study in which 80% of the people treated with the drug were said to have benefited.  But there was no explanation about the type of study, the longevity of the benefit, or any information that would allow a viewer to learn more.

Does the story adequately explain/quantify the harms of the intervention?

Not Satisfactory

A statement was made that there were no harms associated with this drug.  This statement is not supported by the clinical information about the use of this medication for its approved use.  Further, there is the potential for problems developing when going off the medication, which was not explained in this piece. 

The doctor interviewed as the central character in this piece asserted that there are no side effects whatsoever. No attempt was made to question the basis for this comment beyond his own personal experience.

Does the story seem to grasp the quality of the evidence?

Not Satisfactory

The "evidence" presented was the experience of a single doctor.  A self-study by one individual is insufficient evidence of benefits or harms that may be associated with the treatment.  

The assertion by this doctor that the treatment has worked for everybody who tries it was accepted without question.  He later went on to contradict this and mentioned that there was an 80% response rate (not the 100% previously stated).  This was also not questioned.  

Does the story commit disease-mongering?

Not Satisfactory

The piece stated that alcoholism is a chronic condition that progresses without treatment.  But the scientific literature describes a high "spontaneous remission" rate for alcohol dependence, that is people who improve without formal treatment.  Further, the story notes that the drug has been tested or will be tested in other conditions (to wit: "binge eating") – leaving a possible viewer take home message that whatever the cause of craving — poor self esteem, anxiety, etc. — baclofen at a high enough dose just might do the trick.

Does the story use independent sources and identify conflicts of interest?

Not Satisfactory

This story included information from the doctor promoting his book and from another clinician who is currently engaged in overseeing a clinical trial to determine whether the medication enhances the impact of another drug currently approved for the treatment of alcoholism.  There was also a graphic with a statement from the CEO of a private addiction treatment facility, though this does not represent the comments of a disinterested expert.

An independent expert should have been included to provide some estimate of the impact of baclofen for treating alcoholism. 

Does the story compare the new approach with existing alternatives?

Not Satisfactory

12 step programs were briefly mentioned.  And the doctor interviewed mentioned his experience in a rehabilitation program. But there was no discussion about psychotherapeutic approaches either alone or in combination with medications or mention of currently approved treatment for alcoholisms, or information about the success rates associated with any of the treatments as compared to the study results with baclofen.

Does the story establish the availability of the treatment/test/product/procedure?

Not Satisfactory

This is a story about an off-label use for a currently available medication.  While interviewing a French physician and talking about a clinical trial in Philadelphia, the story failed to indicate whether the drug was currently available and if so, whether it was approved for the use discussed.

Does the story establish the true novelty of the approach?

Not Satisfactory

Although the discussion was about a use for baclofen for which it is currently not approved by the FDA, it is also not a new use for this drug.  There are studies dating back to the 1970s and 80s looking at this drug and others in its class for its effect on alcohol craving.