There are 17.6 million people in the United States with an alcohol abuse problem, according to MedlinePlus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects there are 79,000 deaths in the United States each year directly attributed to excessive alcohol use. Even with the heavy toll alcohol abuse brings on the patient's health, family life and social well-being, it can be difficult to quit drinking alcohol permanently without medical treatment. There are some medications available that can be effective in helping the patient tolerate withdrawal from alcohol, and some drugs reduce the desire to drink.
Alcoholism
Most people are able to drink alcohol in moderation and never develop the disease of alcoholism. Alcoholism can be described as having four main features, including craving, inability to stop drinking once the person has started, physical dependence that causes withdrawal symptoms if drinking is stopped, and increased tolerance.
Withdrawal Medications
There are medications available to make withdrawal easier. Detoxification typically takes place in a hospital or in-patient treatment center, and lasts four to seven days. Sedatives are often prescribed to reduce shaking, confusion and hallucinations, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Preventative Medicine
There are medicines that are prescribed for preventing a patient from drinking again. One such medication, naltrexone, reduces the desire to drink by blocking the positive feelings induced by alcohol. Another medication, disulfiram, deters drinking by making the patient feel ill if she consumes alcohol. Acamprosate can reduce cravings for alcohol.
Dosages
Medications are usually prescribed for six months to one year. Most medicines are prescribed in pill form to be taken on a daily basis. One medication, vivitrol, can be given by injection once a month by a health care professional. Patients may be more compliant with this monthly injection than with oral medications due to the possibility of missed or incorrect doses.
Side Effects
As with many medications, there are side effects associated with some of the medicines prescribed for alcohol abuse. Side effects from naltrexone may include headache, constipation, nervousness, anxiety and drowsiness. Drugs.com notes a patient who is taking disulfiram may notice a metallic or bad taste in his mouth. Severe reactions may include tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, vomiting and seizures.
Other Medications
Medical treatments may have to be prescribed for conditions caused by chronic alcohol abuse, such as cirrhosis of the liver and high blood pressure. The use of narcotics should be avoided, even for pain control, while a patient is taking medicines to reduce withdrawal symptoms because narcotics may actually make these symptoms worse.
