Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment

There are currently only three medications approved by the Drug Administration for the treatment of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.

There are no medications on the market that are prescribed for people who are still drinking alcohol that will cause them to stop drinking. None of these medications are prescribed to people who are still drinking alcohol. They are only prescribed to those who have already stopped drinking and are trying to maintain alcohol abstinence.

Disulfiram : Ant abuse, or disaffirms as it is also known, was the first medicine approved for the alcohol abuse treatment and alcohol dependence. It works by causing a severe adverse reaction when someone taking the medication consumes alcohol.

Naltrexone : Naltrexone is sold under the brand names Revia and Depade. An extended-release form of Naltrexone is marketed under the trade name Vivitrol. It works by blocking in the brain the "high" that people experience when they drink alcohol or take opioids like heroin and cocaine.

Acamprosate : Campral, the brand name for Acamprosate, is the most recent medication approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence or alcoholism in the United States. It works by reducing the physical distress and emotional discomfort people usually experience when they quit drinking.

Although increasing attention has been paid to the problems of drug and alcohol abuse, data about drug use by alcoholics is increasing day by day and effective treatments are not available. Patients' age, length of treatment involvement, and history of drug use prior to treatment appeared to effect drug use during treatment. The exact amount of medication necessary depends on the severity of the alcoholism, like the persons wait and age. Some choose to give medications and make adjustments based upon the withdrawal symptoms. Yet another option is to hold off on medication until symptoms begin, but this method is generally used with those that have a mild addiction.