There is no magic pill that will cure alcoholism. Popping pills and skipping out on doing the hard work it takes to remain sober simply will not work. Taking medication, however, in conjunction with other treatments such as psychotherapy or participating in an alcohol rehabilitation program may enhance the treatment process for some individuals, says HelpGuide.org. People interested in supplementing their alcoholism treatment with medication should talk to a doctor or mental health professional about the potential risks and benefits in doing so to ensure it is the right course of action for them.
Disulfiram
The medication disulfiram is used to make the experience of drinking alcohol extremely unpleasant. If alcohol is consumed while taking this medication, it triggers a slew of adverse reactions throughout the body. Things such as copious vomiting, sweating, extreme thirst, breathing difficulty, heart palpitations, throbbing in the head and neck, chest pain, flushing, weakness, confusion, vertigo and blurred vision can all occur when even just a small amount of alcohol is consumed, warns MentalHealth.com. Alcoholics using this medication, therefore, will have extra incentive to abstain from drinking and focus on their treatment.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone is another medication that can be used as an aid in combating alcoholism. It works by blocking the chemicals in the brain that signal pleasure when drinking alcohol, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Since an alcoholic will not receive the same pleasure from drinking, the person will feel less of a need to drink alcohol and will have an easier time stopping their alcohol use. This drug can be prescribed as an oral medication or as an extended-release injectable medication which requires less reliance on patient adherence for effectiveness.
Acamprosate
Acamprosate is another medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of alcoholism. Instead of targeting symptoms that occur when a person drinks, this drug targets the withdrawal symptoms an alcoholic experiences when not drinking, explains the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in their pamphlet "Incorporating Alcohol Pharmocotherapies into Medical Practice." Acomprosate is typically started 5 days after alcohol cessation, but can safely be used during the withdrawal process or even when a person is still drinking.
