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It appears that a drug commonly used to treat alcohol and drug addiction has a similar effect on the compulsive behaviour of kleptomaniacs - it curbs their urge to steal, according to new research at the University of Minnesota.

The Medical School's Department of Psychiatry conducted an eight-week, double-blind study of 25 men and women ages 17-75, who spent an average of at least one hour a week stealing. Those who took the drug Naltrexone (mean dose of 117mg/day) reported significantly greater decline in stealing behaviour compared to those taking placebo.

The research is published in the April 1 issue of the Journal of Biological Psychiatry.

"It gets rid of that rush and desire," said Jon Grant, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., a University of Minnesota associate professor of psychiatry and principal investigator of the study. "The difference in their behaviour was significant, and these people were really troubled by their behaviour."

A recent, large epidemiological study of about 43,000 adults found that more than 11 percent of the general population admitted to having shoplifted in their lifetime. It is unclear, however, how many people who steal suffer from kleptomania.

While the drug is not a cure for kleptomania, Grant said it offers hope to those who are suffering from the addiction. He also said the drug would most likely work best in combination with individual therapy.

"These are people who steal even though they can easily afford not to," Grant said.