Alcoholism is a disease, one for which there is no cure; however, treatment is available for those who wish to improve their health and their lives. Aside from behavioral therapy, 12-Step programs and rehabilitation centers, medications are also available.
Disulfiram
Used for more than 40 years to treat those with a dependency on alcohol, disulfiram has a questionable efficacy record according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. It is available to patients as both an implant and in the form of an oral tablet, both of which interferes with the breakdown of alcohol in the body when an alcoholic chooses to drink during his treatment. This then causes a buildup of an alcohol byproduct by the name of acetaldehyde. Once this byproduct builds up, rather than releasing itself as it normally would, the alcoholic experiences many unpleasant side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations and a headache. The key to not suffering from these side effects is compliance; the American Academy of Family Physicians states, however, that 46 percent of patients taking this drug during treatment drop out due to these side effects and the patient's inability to remain compliant.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone helps reduce the cravings for alcohol by blocking the feel-good receptors in the brain known as opioid receptors. These receptors provide alcoholics with the false illusion that alcohol helps them rather than harms them. It also helps decrease intoxication, and in clinical trials, only 38 percent of patients taking Naltrexone relapsed, unlike the 60 percent of those taking the placebo pill missing the active ingredient
Naltrexone is more effective when used in combination with various interventions such as behavioral therapy and 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Acamprosate
Acamprosate may be a more effective drug for those with a severe addiction to alcohol, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It works by reducing the long-term withdrawal symptoms often experienced by accompany a chronic alcoholic. These symptoms include insomnia, restlessness and anxiety. Dysphoria, an uncomfortable emotional state, is another of these withdrawal symptoms and has a tendency to produce feelings of depression and irritability.
Acamprosate is also more effective when used in combination with other forms of treatment such as counseling (group or individual) and support groups.
Anticonvulsants
In many cases, anticonvulsants are used during the withdrawal process, as seizures are often a side effects when an alcoholic is detoxing. However, the American Academy of Family Physicians states anticonvulsants may be effective in treating the cravings associated with alcohol as well. While topiramate is the most widely studied drug in this class, gabapentin and valproate have also proven themselves to be effective.
