The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that alcoholism is a disease for which there is no cure--relapse can occur at any time. Treatment options exist for those who wish to break free from this addiction and it comes in a variety of forms: rehabilitation centers, counseling and medications.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone is a medication that helps reduce the cravings for alcohol by blocking the opioid receptors in the brain responsible for making alcoholics feel good when they drink. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that it also helps decrease intoxication, and that in placebo-controlled clinical trials, only 38 percent of patients taking naltrexone relapsed into dependency compared to 60 percent of those taking the placebo.
The site further states that 61 percent of patients taking naltrexone returned to drinking, while 69 percent of those taking the placebo were more inclined to falter and give in to cravings. This medication is more effective when used in combination with psychosocial interventions such as behavioral therapy, 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and those whose family members undergo therapy with them.
Acamprosate
The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that acamprosate may be a more effective drug for those with a severe addiction to alcohol. It helps reduce the long-term withdrawal symptoms that often accompany a chronic, or long-term, alcoholic. These symptoms include insomnia, restlessness and anxiety. Included in these symptoms is dysphoria, an uncomfortable emotional state which produces feelings like depression or irritability.
Just as with naltrexone, acamprosate is more effective when used in combination with other forms of treatment such as counseling and support groups. During its clinical trials, 54 percent of patients taking the medication remained alcohol-free for a longer period of time.
Disulfiram
Disulfiram has been used for more than 40 years in the treatment of alcohol dependency, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Its efficacy, however, is questionable.
Available in both implant and oral form, disulfiram interferes with the breakdown of alcohol in the body, which results in the buildup of an alcohol byproduct called acetaldehyde. This byproduct is responsible for the infamous hangover, thus producing unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations and a headache when an alcoholic drinks while taking this medication. If compliant, these symptoms do not occur. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, however, there is a 46 percent dropout rate of patients taking this drug.
