Medicine To Stop Alcohol Addiction

Strategies For Reducing Harm

Regarding opioid replacement treatment, the word harm reduction is sometimes used. Although generally embraced in other countries, it remains divisive in the United States. Harm reduction is a public health approach that recognizes substance use and violence as natural and focuses on mitigating the adverse effects rather than arguing for total abstinence. Harm reduction, for example, uses needle exchange services and community outreach centers to reduce criminal violence and the spread of infectious diseases.

One form of harm reduction is opioid replacement therapy, which involves opioid medications like methadone in federally funded facilities to prevent the usage of more potent street drugs like heroin. Methadone is a synthetic opioid that is taken orally and has a long half-life. It has the same effect on opioid receptors as other opioids, but with less effectiveness and a lower peak. Methadone is a medication that can help with withdrawal symptoms and cravings, but its most widely used for lengthy maintenance.

How To Treat Alcoholism With Medication

Begin by talking to a doctor or an addiction specialist, and discuss your individual situation.

Each medication has different pros and cons, and different protocol. But the basics are the same as with any medicine: take it regularly and follow the instructions as best you can.

Some medicines require that you stop drinking completely, while some drugs help you reduce cravings for alcohol like naltrexone it may even harness your drinking habits to help retrain your brain. It all depends on which medication you choose, and what your goals are.

And, once again, medication often works best when combined with a larger support system. Whether that means group meetings, coaching via a telemedicine app, or regular therapy sessions, the right combination can help you establish a lasting change.

Below are some of the most commonly used medicines to treat alcohol use disorder, or alcoholism:

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Important safety information

Naltrexone

Naltrexone has the capacity to cause hepatocellular injury when given in excessive doses. Naltrexone is contraindicated in acute hepatitis or liver failure, and its use in patients with active liver disease must be carefully considered in light of its hepatotoxic effects. In the treatment of alcohol dependence, common adverse reactions include difficulty sleeping, anxiety, nervousness, abdominal pain/cramps, nausea and/or vomiting, low energy, joint and muscle pain, headache, dizziness and somnolence. This is not a complete list of potential adverse events associated with naltrexone hydrochloride. Please see Full Prescribing Information for a complete list.

Disulfiram

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How Psilocybin May Rewire The Brain

After the first two sessions, the 93 participants were offered sessions of psilocybin either third doses or the first ones for the control group and additional therapy. Participants who received psilocybin two times within the 12 weeks reported meaningful experiences or visions that changed their relationships with addiction.

Everyones experience is different, Bogenschutz said. Peoples brains appear to be able to kind of tailor the effects of the experience, depending on what they come to the situation with and what they need out of the experience.

Researchers say they still dont understand to what extent such experiences work to reverse addiction, but it appears to play a big role.

The science shows that in virtually all the psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy trials for substance use disorders, greater mystical experience was associated with greater therapeutic change, said Dr. Chris Stauffer, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Oregon Health & Science University, who is leading clinical work on psilocybin through the VA Portland Health Care System and isnt associated with the new study. Ultimately, we dont really know yet how this treatment works.

On a physical level, psilocybin-assisted therapy may reshape the neural networks in the brain that are associated with addiction-related habits and could help people escape rigid thinking patterns, Stauffer said.

Why Medication Is Needed For Addiction Treatment

Medications are very important during alcohol withdrawal, the period called cold turkey. Long-term abuse of alcohol has a sedative effect on the body. When you withdraw alcohol suddenly, there is a phase of excitability that can be deadly without the use of a medication to take the place of alcohol, says Michael Weaver, MD, professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and medical director of the Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addictions at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Sudden withdrawal of alcohol can cause a spike in blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and extreme excitability. This can lead to delirium tremens tremors and delirium. In extreme cases, untreated alcohol withdrawal can lead to seizures, heart attack, or stroke, Dr. Weaver warns.

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Efficacy Of Ayurveda Medicine

The eastern idea that bad health is due to imbalances in the body has proved to be a lasting theory. It is a sophisticated approach that arose at a time when people in other parts of the world, including Europe, believed that ill health was caused by demons. Ayurveda provided a practical means of restoring health, and this is why it continues to be well respected. There is a temptation to believe that because something is older it must be better, and this idea can get people into trouble if taken too seriously. Western medicine may be younger than Ayurveda but it relies on hard evidence, and this is why it has managed to become so successful. This is not to say that the Ayurveda approach has nothing to offer people in the modern age only that it may be unwise to choose it as a replacement for western treatments. At the moment there is a lack of independent research into the efficacy of Ayurveda medicine the research that does exist tends to have been done by those involved in this field so it may be biased.

Role Of Medications In Substance Abuse Treatment

• Management of withdrawal symptoms.Medications such as Suboxone can decrease withdrawal symptoms, providing a more comfortable detox process. Managing withdrawal symptoms with medications can reduce the risk of relapse during detox.
• Medication-assisted treatment. Medication-assisted treatment can be used as a long-term treatment for opiate addiction. People on medication-assisted treatment are given a consistent dose of a medication, such as methadone or Suboxone, every day to ward off withdrawal symptoms and cravings and to decrease the risk of relapse. Medication-assisted treatment shows promise for helping people improve functioning in many areas of their lives and can help to prevent the transmission of diseases that might otherwise result from continued non-sterile needle-sharing.
• Relapse prevention. Cravings for drugs and alcohol can put people at significant risk of relapse. Buprenorphine and acamprosate and naltrexone can alleviate strong cravings. Disulfiram can also prevent drinkers from relapsing because people who take this medication know they will feel sick if they consume alcohol.
• Co-occurring conditions. Many people with substance abuse problems also experience co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder . Psychiatric medications can be used to concurrently manage these mental health issues.

Combining Medication With Other Treatments

Evidence-Based Treatments

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Can Alcohol Addiction Cause Mental Illness

Alcoholism and mental health issues often occur at the same time. Around half of the people who experience a substance use disorder will have mental health issues at some point in their lives. Mental health issues can often lead to substance use problems through self-medication and poor coping responses to uncomfortable psychological symptoms. Alcoholism may also lead to the development of mental health problems like depression. In many cases, alcoholism can worsen or trigger mental health issues.

Ayurveda Theory Of Addiction

Ayurveda experts such as Yogi Amrit Desai believe that people become addicted to alcohol and drugs because they are attempting to escape imbalances and inner tension caused by stress. The intoxicating effects of these substances fool the individual into believing that they are being helped, but they are actually creating further imbalances in the body. The aim of Ayurveda then is to fix all the imbalances that have been created and provide the individual with the ability to deal better with stress. This can be done because most of the emotional stress that people experience is due to reacting badly to external stimuli and this creates internal tension. If the individual can learn to remove their blocks to stress, so they can stop resisting it, the need to abuse alcohol or drugs will fall away. But before this can happen they will need to detoxify the body and fix all imbalances.

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Signs Of An Alcohol Problem

Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition that doctors diagnose when a patients drinking causes distress or harm. The condition can range from mild to severe and is diagnosed when a patient answers yes to two or more of the following questions.

In the past year, have you:

If you have any of these symptoms, your drinking may already be a cause for concern. The more symptoms you have, the more urgent the need for change. A health professional can conduct a formal assessment of your symptoms to see if AUD is present. For an online assessment of your drinking pattern, go to RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov.

Medications For Alcohol Withdrawal

The medications most commonly used for alcohol withdrawal are benzodiazepines, sedatives that calm anxiety and nervous system excitability by slowing down nerve impulses. Short-term side effects may include drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth.

You want to use a benzodiazepine that is not too long-acting or too short-acting. The most common choices are lorazepam or diazepam. These drugs can be given orally or intravenously. They can be tapered down slowly until the danger is past, Weaver explains.

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Which Medications Work Best To Help Stop Drinking

There are five main medications that can be used to help treat alcohol dependency, reduce heavy drinking, decrease cravings, and help with abstinence. Medications can assist an individual in their recovery, but medication alone wont stop an alcoholic from drinking. Medication works best when taken as part of a treatment plan that includes counseling, group support, and supervision from a specialist.

Detox And Withdrawal Symptoms

If you’re dependent on alcohol to function, it’s recommended you seek medical advice to manage your withdrawal.

Some people may be prescribed medication to help achieve abstinence. You may also choose to attend self-help groups, receive extended counselling, or use a talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy .

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Types Of Behavioral Treatments

• CognitiveBehavioral Therapy can take place one-on-one with a therapist or in small groups. This form of therapy is focused on identifying the feelings and situations that lead to heavy drinking and managing stress that can lead to relapse. The goal is to change the thought processes that lead to alcohol misuse and to develop the skills necessary to cope with everyday situations that might trigger problem drinking.

• Motivational Enhancement Therapy is conducted over a short period of time to build and strengthen motivation to change drinking behavior. The therapy focuses on identifying the pros and cons of seeking treatment, forming a plan for making changes in ones drinking, building confidence, and developing the skills needed to stick to the plan.

• incorporates spouses and other family members in the treatment process and can play an important role in repairing and improving family relationships. Studies show that strong family support through family therapy increases the chances of maintaining abstinence , compared with patients undergoing individual counseling.

• Brief Interventions are short, one-on-one or small-group counseling sessions that are time limited. The counselor provides information about the individuals drinking pattern and potential risks. After the client receives personalized feedback, the counselor will work with him or her to set goals and provide ideas for helping to make a change.

Alcohol Detox & Withdrawal Medications

Medications used while detoxing from alcohol treat symptoms of withdrawal, but they dont prevent withdrawal. The only way to prevent alcohol withdrawal is to drink alcohol.

Some types of drug withdrawal can be prevented with medication. For example, heroin withdrawal occurs when parts of the brain called receptors dont receive heroin. Buprenorphine is a medication that attaches to the same receptors that heroin attaches to, preventing withdrawal.

No known medication can prevent alcoholics from going into withdrawal when they dont drink, but some medications can relieve symptoms of withdrawal to make it more comfortable.

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Are There Medications To Stop Addiction

Drug and alcohol treatment has traditionally primarily followed the 12-Step model of complete abstinence in order to maintain a successful recovery from a substance abuse disorder.

Relapse rates can be high at around 40-60 percent, mirroring those of other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension, as reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse . Addiction is defined as a chronic and relapsing brain disease, and relapse is considered a natural part of recovery. Treatment, therefore, seeks to lessen the severity and duration of relapse.

Several medications are now being explored and used effectively during substance abuse treatment that may help to prevent relapse, or a return to substance abuse. These medications may be used during recovery as an alternative to complete abstinence in some cases, or during a medical detox protocol as a way to safely and successfully flush toxins from the body. Cravings and withdrawal symptoms may be blunted by the use of certain medications, and many of these pharmaceuticals block drugs or alcohol from creating the same high or desired pleasant feelings. These medications may be used short-term during detox or as part of a long-term maintenance therapy. Medications are not a magic bullet or cure-all for addiction, but when used during substance abuse treatment, they may increase the odds of a healthy and productive recovery.

Medicines Involved In Alcohol Treatment

According to Psychiatry, the US Food and Drug Administration Has Approved Four Medications for Addictions to Treat Alcohol Use Disorders:

Disulfiram has long been a medications for addictions, it is used to treat alcoholism. If disulfiram interacts with alcohol and persists in the body for a week or two, it causes headaches, nausea, and vomiting, among other things. As a result, it is supposed to prevent alcoholics from resuming their drinking. Disulfiram, on the other hand, may have unplanned or potentially dangerous health effects when an overdose occurs. Side effects include death, low blood pressure, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

While alcoholics may stop taking disulfiram before purposefully drinking, reducing its long-term efficacy in preventing withdrawal, it may still be the most successful way to avoid impulsive drinking. When family and social care networks are active and attentive in ensuring that the drug is administered on a daily basis, disulfiram is thought to have the best success rates.

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Effects Of Addiction To Alcohol

Despite its acceptance as a normal, even harmless, activity, alcohol misuse and abuse is anything but harmless. Chronic alcohol abuse and long-term alcohol addiction can, among other things, result in:

• Serious heart problems, including abnormal changes in blood pressure and arrhythmia
• A weakened immune system that leads to an increased risk of infections and disease
• Disrupted communication within the brain, resulting in impaired judgment, motor skills, and emotional and behavioral problems
• Severe liver damage, including alcoholic hepatitis fibrosis, and cirrhosis
• A much higher risk of throat, liver, mouth, esophageal, and breast cancers
• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders such as fetal alcohol syndrome , developmental disorders, and birth defects resulting from drinking while pregnant

These are just a small sampling of the ways that alcohol can permanently damage someones brain and body as well as kill them. These also do not account for the many ways that alcohol can cause serious harm to those around someone engaging in alcohol abuse, such as driving drunk, which accounts for roughly one-third of all traffic-related deaths in the country. Its important to stay up to date with all medical and health news.

Medicines To Treat Alcohol Use Disorder

Your doctor may suggest a medicine to help treat your alcohol use disorder. Medicines are usually used together with talk therapy and support groups.

• Acamprosate : This medicine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat alcohol dependence*. It helps rebalance chemicals in the brain that may be changed by drinking too much.
• Disulfiram : This medicine was approved by the FDA to treat alcohol dependence*. If you drink alcohol, this medicine causes unpleasant effects, such as nausea, vomiting, headache, flushing , sweating, and chest pain. These effects can last for an hour or longer.
• Naltrexone : This medicine was approved by the FDA to treat alcohol dependence*. It works by decreasing the craving for alcohol.
• Topiramate : This medicine was approved by the FDA to treat seizures and prevent migraine headaches. Some doctors also use it to treat alcohol use disorder. It helps rebalance chemicals in the brain and helps correct the electrical activity of brain cells.

* Alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence were once considered separate disorders. They have now been combined into one disorder alcohol use disorder.

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The chart below gives more information about each medicine. It also tells what researchers have found about how well the medicines work to treat alcohol dependence and alcohol use disorder.

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