Psychiatrist Questions Psychiatrist

Can medications help with alcohol addiction?

I have an alcohol addiction. Can medications help alcohol addiction?

6 Answers

Yes, there is effective medications that are prescribed to help with alcohol cravings and withdrawals.
No medication does not help alcohol addiction
yes
Yes, Medicines are usually used together with talk therapy and support groups. The following medications may assist in the treatment of alcohol use disorder:
Acamprosate (Campral®): This medicine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat alcohol dependence*. It helps rebalance chemicals in the brain that may be changed by drinking too much.
Disulfiram (Antabuse®): 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 (reddening of the face, neck, or chest), sweating, and chest pain. These effects can last for an hour or longer.
Naltrexone (Revia®, Vivitrol®): This medicine was approved by the FDA to treat alcohol dependence*. It works by decreasing the craving for alcohol.
Topiramate (Topamax®, Trokendi XR®, Qudexy XR®): 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.
There are several major steps that need to be taken once someone is addicted to alcohol but these are a few medicines that can help with the cravings of alcohol. But please see a doctor before any medicines are taken. Five common medications used to treat alcohol dependence are: naltrexone, disulfiram, acamprosate, topiramate, and gabapentin
Naltrexone (Trexan) and acamprosate (Campral) are recommended as FDA-approved options for treatment of alcohol dependence in conjunction with behavior therapy