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GABA Replacement in Alcoholism Treatment

The body's own chemistry sustains alcoholic behavior by generating both the pleasure of drunkenness and the agonies of withdrawal. Overproduction of GABA, a chemical that ignites the brain's pleasure response, can lead to imbalances with other substances and compel the alcoholic to continue drinking. A medication called Campral helps restore this chemical balance, removing the craving for alcohol.

  1. Alcoholism

    • The Mayo Clinic defines alcoholism as a chronic disease that compels people to drink alcohol. Alcoholism plays a major role in such societal ills as divorce, domestic abuse, accidents, suicides, and murders. Extended periods of alcohol abuse can lead to serious health issues, damaging the liver, heart, brain, and digestive system while increasing the risk of diabetes and cancer.

    GABA

    • The chemicals that influence our feelings, and subsequently our behaviors, are called neurotransmitters. According to the NueroScience website, these neurotransmitters act as "on" or "off" switches, exciting some brain reactions while inhibiting others. GABA is an inhibiter, working to counterbalance simulating signals from other neurotransmitters like glutamate. Conversely, glutamate works to counterbalance GABA's sedative-like effects.

    Effects

    • According to an article in Business Week, GABA has a direct impact on the reward mechanism that encourages alcoholism. When you drink alcohol, your brain produces GABA, causing relaxed, euphoric feelings. The stimulant glutamate then kicks in to limit excessive effects from the GABA. GABA levels then fall, but the remaining glutamate makes you feel irritable and in need of another drink. As drinking becomes a habit, the brain starts to crave the higher GABA level. When an alcoholic "dries out," the sudden, continued lack of alcohol causes painful withdrawal symptoms.

    Campral

    • Campral, a drug first introduced in Europe in 1990 and approved for U.S. sale in 2005, restores the normal balance between GABA and glutamate. The Business Week article mentions that 36 percent of study participants remained sober with the help of the drug, as opposed to only 23.4 percent who took a placebo. RxList lists a recommended dose of two 333-milligram tablets three times per day, except for patients suffering from kidney trouble, who may take half that dosage as long as their ailment is not too severe.

    Considerations

    • Drugs.com cautions that Campral may cause kidney problems or even suicidal depressions, and that while it aids sobriety it does not relieve the discomforts of the withdrawal process. Other side effects include rapid heartbeat, wooziness, breathlessness, and digestive troubles. Campral might pose dangers to unborn or breast-fed babies. When discussing Campral with your doctor, make sure to mention any other medications or supplements you currently use.

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