Medications That Help Alcohol Recovery

By Christopher Sendi, MD

NOVA Addiction Specialists, LLC

. http://www.novaddiction.com/

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Medications That Help Alcohol Recovery

Addiction is a devastating disease that affects an individual physically and psychologically. Counseling may help the psychological component, but medications can be much more effective for the physical changes that result from alcohol and opioid abuse.

Alcohol use disorder affects 15.1 million people over the age of 18, and 623,00 people between the ages of 12 and 17, with 88,000 people dying from alcohol-related causes annually. That is the fourth leading cause of preventable deaths.

Alcohol causes an increased release of endogenous endorphins, creating a feeling of reward that makes a person want to seek out the same sensation repeatedly. Opioids also stimulate the same pathways. Over time, these pathways take a life of their own, leading to the disease of addiction.

In addition to counseling, AA/NA, and 12 step support, medications can be very useful in the treatment of alcoholism. There are three FDA approved medicines available disulfiram (Antabuse), acamprosate (Campral), and naltrexone (Revia and Vivitrol).

Disulfiram works well to decrease impulse driven, situational drinking. It is a pill taken daily that works by interfering with alcohol metabolism, leading to nausea and vomiting when alcohol is ingested. This obviously will decrease the desire to drink since there is no reward in vomiting.

Acamprosate is an oral medication that interacts with certain neurotransmitters in the brain that help diminish the protracted withdrawal symptoms of alcohol detoxification. It also decreases the desire to drink and increases the likelihood of abstinence.

Naltrexone has both oral and depot monthly injection formulations (Vivitrol), which increases compliance. Naltrexone doesn't make someone sick if they decide to drink but may reduce the actual desire.

If the person is abusing opioids, Vivitrol works to block the effect of all opioids for a month after the injection is given. There is also some decrease in cravings so the person can focus on restructuring their life and learn new coping mechanisms for cues and triggers during their recovery.

When given for alcoholism, Vivitrol reduces the number of heavy drinking days significantly over the course of the month. When naltrexone is taken orally, the individual can choose take it prior to going out so as to maintain control of periodic drinking and decrease the number of drinks taken in.

Everyone should be aware of the many options on the table to help aid their recovery. Have a discussion with your doctor today.