Alcohol Abuse Treatment Medication

Benzodiazepines such as Valium, and Xanax have long been the most common medications used in the treatment of alcoholism, and are used during the detoxification process. Antabuse (disulfiram) is one of the oldest of alcohol treatment options.

Until recently, medications prescribed for the treatment of Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children were suspected of increasing the likelihood of alcohol and other drug abuse in children. According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), two studies supported by the agency indicate treatment medications may be a solution to substance abuse problems in ADHD sufferers rather than a cause.

Naltrexone and Campral are relatively new drugs that are being used in the treatment of alcohol abuse against the tendency of relapse in early recovery due to craving and protracted withdrawal symptoms.

Benzodiazepines & Antabuse (disulfiram)

• Benzodiazepines such as Valium or Xanax, are used in the detoxification of chronic alcoholics. As the process continues, doses of bezodiazepine drugs are decreased until they are no longer needed. Benzodiazepines are extremely addictive, thus they are not used in the long-term treatment of alcoholism.

  Antabuse (disulfiram) is a medication used to discourage alcohol use through extreme physical discomfort when drinking. The use of Antabuse has long been controversial, as many believe the drastic side affects of the drug to be dangerous for many. Benzodiazepines and Antabuse are the most traditional forms of treatment related to alcohol addiction.

ADHD Treatment Drugs

• Ritalin, Methylphenidate, Dexedrine, and Adderall are drugs generally used in the treatment of ADHD. Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) are also used to treat ADHD in boys who have negative reactions to the typical drugs used to treat ADHD. According to NIDA, research has demonstrated that children treated with medications for ADHD symptoms were less likely to become substance abusers within a followed four-year period than children with ADHD who had not been treated with the medications. These findings indicate that the drugs inhibit, rather than increase substance abuse tendencies in ADHD sufferers.

  Researchers found that treating the boys for ADHD with any of the medication, reduced the tendency to abuse alcohol. According to research findings, 75 percent of the boys not being treated with medication had started abusing alcohol and other drugs four years later, while only 25 percent on the medication were abusing alcohol, and other substances, and only 18 percent without ADHD were alcohol and other drug abusers. The study indicates that ADHD treatment drugs decrease, rather than increase, the tendency towards alcohol abuse in ADHD children.

Naltrexone and Campral

• Since July of 2004, Naltrexone and Campral, two relatively new drugs, have been found to be effective against alcohol relapse through the reduction of alcohol craving and the symptoms of alcohol protracted withdrawal.

Naltrevone

• The university of South Caralina in August 2005, reported that alcohol abusers treated with Naltrexone and cognitive therapy, were less likely to relapse into alcohol use than those treated with a placebo. Naltrexone works to eliminate alcohol craving in chronic alcohol users who want to stop using alcohol. Naltrexone produces changes in the brain that eliminate the pleasure experienced through alcohol use. However, unlike antabuse, Naltrexone does not cause a person who drinks to become physically sick. Craving in recovering alcoholics or alcohol abusers continues to be one of the leading causes for relapse into alcohol use.

Campral

• On July 29, 2004, the FDA approved Campral (acamprosate calcium) for the treatment of alcohol symptoms related to protracted withdrawal and for the maintenance of abstinence. Campral works differently from traditional medications that served mainly to reduce the "high" related to alcohol abuse, or induce vomiting. Campral works to reduce the physical and emotional symptoms of discomfort often causing alcoholics to relapse. Protracted withdrawal symptoms reduced through use of Campral include sweating, anxiety and sleep disturbances often persisting for weeks or months after an individual has ceased alcohol use.