In the last 55 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved three drugs to help treat alcoholism, according to Healthy Place, a website that provides information on psychological disorders and psychiatric medications. These medications are not able to cure the addiction, but can help reduce the cravings for alcohol, making the recovery process easier.
Disulfiram
Disulfiram is the generic name for the drug known as Antabuse. Healthy Place states that this is the oldest drug used to treat an alcohol addiction, having first been marketed in 1948. When users of this treatment consume alcohol--no matter what the amount--they will experience adverse side effects such as facial flushing (reddening of the face), mild nausea, severe vomiting, headaches and increased blood pressure. Once these effects are experienced, the addict will be less likely to drink though some experts have differing opinions. As pointed out by Steven H. Williams, Ph.D of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the evidence to support the effectiveness of this medication is weak. While disulfiram does appear to reduce the frequency of an alcoholic's drinking, it does not decrease the risk of relapse once recovered.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone, better known by the brand name ReVia, is considered an opioid receptor antagonist. Williams states that naltrexone works by reducing the the effects of alcohol by blocking the receptors which allow an alcoholic to feel its effects. Ultimately, this results in fewer cravings and reduced incidence and feelings of intoxication. This drug is intended for use in conjunction with psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy.
While the recommended dose is 50mg per day in a single dose, Healthy Place quotes the FDA as saying,"This drug is non-addictive but can cause liver toxicity if prescribed at higher doses than recommended." Currently this medication is only available in an oral form; however an injectable form is currently in the process of being developed. Some of the most common side effects include nausea, dizziness, fatigue and nausea.
Acamprosate
The brand name of acamprosate is Campral, which is the newest such drug to be approved by the FDA, having received its approval in July 2004. Healthy Place states that it is not completely understood how this drug works, but it is believed that it helps restore a chemical balance back to the brain. This helps reduce a person's cravings while preventing relapses.
Williams concurs, stating that acamprosate helps reduce both the short and long-term relapse rates in patients with a dependency on alcohol when combined with psychosocial treatments.
