Addiction Recovery Basics

There are three medications commonly used as an aid in the treatment of alcoholism.

The three oral medications are:

1. Disulfiram (Antabuse) - Disulfiram discourages drinking by making the person taking it feel sick after drinking alcohol.

2. Naltrexone (Depade, ReVia) - Naltrexone acts in the brain to reduce craving for alcohol after someone has stopped drinking.

3. Acamprosate (Campral) - Acamprosate is thought to work by reducing symptoms that follow lengthy abstinence, such as anxiety and insomnia.

These are currently approved to treat alcohol dependence. In addition, an injectable, long-acting form of naltrexone (Vivitrol) is available. These medications have been shown to help people with dependence reduce their drinking, avoid relapse to heavy drinking, and achieve and maintain abstinence.

Other types of drugs are available to help manage symptoms of withdrawal (such as shakiness, nausea, and sweating) if they occur after someone with alcohol dependence stops drinking.

Although medications are available to help treat alcoholism, there is no “magic bullet.” In other words, no single medication is available that works in every case and/or in every person. Developing new and more effective medications to treat alcoholism remains a high priority for researchers. Click here for further Alcoholism FAQ.

Those are the facts. Now I will present an editorial dissenting view. Click on the Podcast Icon below

 

 Alcoholism Treatment Medications [4:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Technorati Tags: Acamprosate, Alcoholism, antabuse, Campral, Disulfiram, naltrexone

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