Medical Treatments for Alcoholism

Though alcoholism is a disease that can’t be cured, there are medications that can curb withdrawal and even decrease the enjoyment of consuming alcohol.

The drug disulfiram (Antabuse®) has been used for more than 50 years in the treatment of alcoholism and alcohol abuse. It causes the person to become violently ill, possibly even vomiting, if he drinks. Mixing the medication with alcohol can also cause severe headaches and flu-like symptoms. The downfall of this treatment is that because the results of mixing alcohol and Antabuse® are so unpleasant, some patients simply choose to stop taking the medication and continue drinking.

Some alcoholism treatment centers have had more success with a drug called naltrexone (Trexan®, ReVia®, or Depade®). Naltrexone is an opioid blocker that lessens the euphoric effects of drinking. Because it simply blocks the effects of alcohol rather than causing violent reactions, patients are more likely to continue taking it. Naltrexone is also believed to reduce the craving for alcohol.

The newest medical treatment for alcohol abuse is acamprosate (Campral®). This drug has been used in Europe for years and is intended for use as part of an overall treatment program. Rather than causing sickness or blocking alcohol’s effects, acamprosate lessens symptoms like anxiety and sleeplessness that are associated with early sobriety.

Sedatives and tranquilizers are sometimes used to manage withdrawal symptoms, especially in patients who are severely alcohol dependent. Symptoms can quickly become life-threatening, requiring depression of the central nervous system. In addition, a person going through withdrawal may experience hallucinations. Though they rarely occur independent of other symptoms, when they do, they are treated with antipsychotic medication.

Though medications can help treat alcohol dependence, there’s no magical cure. Any treatment plan is going to require counseling, possibly a hospital stay (until withdrawal symptoms pass), the support of family and friends, and – most of all – time.