New Medications To Treat Alcoholism
 

Recently I was watching an episode of Larry King Live on CNN which featured several somewhat well-known people (like Betty Ford's daughter, for example) discussing various topics related to alcoholism and addiction.

Among the guests was a doctor (a psychiatrist, I think) who was talking excitedly about new medications to treat alcoholism (medications besides Antabuse).

The last time I went to a doctor seeking medication for my alcoholism, the doctor threw me out of his office for smelling like alcohol. This actually happened twice, with two different doctors. I tried to call in to the show or otherwise get in touch with this doctor to relay this tidbit to him, but was unsuccessful.

Hello! I am also looking for meds for alcohol. (especially for cravings) I feel like I am coming out of my skin. It's funny, I always thought I was just in a funk instead of it being cravings and withdrawals from alcohol.

When was this show on? Maybe they have more info on the Betty Ford website.

Hi, heres some information from the NIAAA, at

http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/Genera...tm#medications


6. Which medications treat alcoholism?

Three oral medications--disulfiram (Antabuse®), naltrexone (Depade®, ReVia®), and acamprosate (Campral®)--are currently approved to treat alcohol dependence. In addition, an injectable, long-acting form of naltrexone (Vivitrol®) is available. These medications have been shown to help people with dependence reduce their drinking, avoid relapse to heavy drinking, and achieve and maintain abstinence. Naltrexone acts in the brain to reduce craving for alcohol after someone has stopped drinking. Acamprosate is thought to work by reducing symptoms that follow lengthy abstinence, such as anxiety and insomnia. Disulfiram discourages drinking by making the person taking it feel sick after drinking alcohol.

Other types of drugs are available to help manage symptoms of withdrawal (such as shakiness, nausea, and sweating) if they occur after someone with alcohol dependence stops drinking.

Although medications are available to help treat alcoholism, there is no "magic bullet." In other words, no single medication is available that works in every case and/or in every person. Developing new and more effective medications to treat alcoholism remains a high priority for researchers. (See also "News Releases," Jan. 17, 1995: Naltrexone Approved for Alcoholism Treatment and "Publication," Alcohol Alert No. 61: Neuroscience Research and Therapeutic Targets.)

It's a good site for information on alcoholism.. hope3

The point I was getting at is that if other alcoholics' experience with doctors is/was anything like mine, I don't know how an alcoholic in need of these medications (i.e., one who is actively drinking) would get access to them.

Jeff, the medical field as a whole is behind the research

on alcholism and it's treatments. Just like any other disease, we

have to take responsibility for looking up the latest information

and then find the few in the medical field who are updated.

This can be done by asking for specific doctors who understand the

latest in research.. If I want to have counseling for alcoholism, I want a

alcohol counselor, if I want a diagnose on cancer, I go to a cancer doc, specialist.

The main thing is not to take for granted that all doctors or psychiatrist

are good for treating alcoholism...

Sad truth is, that many alcoholics have had poor treatment do to lack

of knowledge by the medical profession. Best wishes.

hope3

All the meds in the world are not going to help my screwed up alcoholic way of thinking. I think no matter what drugs our produced I will stick with AA. It treats the disease, not the simptums (sp?).

Actually Lost, a combination of treatments are the best course

of action according to studies and research. The drugs are mostly blockers of

the euphoric feelings that the alcoholic gets. I personally didn't need the drugs, but if I exibited some of problems that some do in the initial stage of
quitting, you bet I would seek out what I needed.

A.A has and will continue to be one of the best 12 step programs for

long term abstinence, and I'm glad it works for you and so many others.

Other things that can help are nutrition, exercise, acupuncture and counseling.

Happy Easter all, hope3

They just had a full article in the new April 2007 issue of Scientific American. Check the biotechnology section for "Seeking the Connections: Alcoholism and Our Genes"; identifying the genetic influences on vulnerability to alcohol addiction can lead to more targeted treatments and help individuals make better-informed choices.

In addition to discussion the future of alcoholism research, they make an argument that a relationship between feeling good about yourself, making good choices, thinking "correctly", and not drinking exists. Worth a read imo.

As for these drugs, I haven't tried them. I tried some Kudzu at the health food store and it didn't do anything whatsoever.

Alcohol is not physically addictive. I quit smoking and got highs and lows emotionally for about 20 days until I balanced out. I quit alcohol, began AA meetings a month later and am drinking calming teas, taking valerian root to calm my nerves and lots of good nutrition. I do not believe drugs of any type
are the real answer for most people. We really need whole foods, more sleep,
downtime, boundaries, gratitude, patience, and integrity. Do the right thing everyday....and peace will come.
Katherine

My 27 year old AS took Camprol to stop the strong craving for A--it worked wonders for him-been sober over 1/2 year now.

Katherine you are half right in your statement that alcohol is not physically addictive, it is not physically addictive to a non-alcoholic.

For an alcoholic however alcohol is physically addictive, I am an alcoholic and can attest to that.

But let us forget what I think, let us look what ALL of the legitemate scientific research into alcoholism has proven.

Alcoholism is a physical disease.
Alcohol is physically addictive only to alcoholics.

There are 2 excellent books which compile many of the scientific studies done proving the above beyond a shadow of a doubt. There is no reason for us to debate what is proven fact here on the board, read at least one if not both of the following books and you will learn that the 2 facts I bolded are just that, facts.

The 2 books are "Under the Influence" & Beyond the Influence".

Apologies, Taz,
I am not physically addicted to alcohol, yet I am an alcoholic. I am quite
psycologically addicted to alcohol, and am working on my thoughts and attitude
in order to maintain my sobriety. It is actually an easy task, now that I am sober and my faith is restored.
I am not an expert in allopathic medicine; I am very well-versed in herbals,
and alternative (traditional) medicines.
It is my understanding that an alcoholic who drinks his or her meals does get physically addicted, however there are many people who drink as an adjunct to there functioning lives, eat somewhat well, and are alcoholics
who are addicted psycologically. I believe it is the precurser to being addicted
physically.

My apologies for broadly stating that "alcohol is not physically addictive"
in my last post. In some people it just takes longer to show.
Allen Carr has helped many people around the world quit addictive behaviors
in his many clinics. His book "How to Stop Drinking" explains the progression
of alcoholism.

Kindheart

I'm not addicted to alcoholoc today either. Actaully the detox
stage didn't last than a couple of weeks. Felt like I was
going to dy tho. I 've been sober for years and did manage
to put a decade without anytype of drugs or alcohol.
I had to take prozac when I first got clean and sober... 6 months.
I made my doctor promise me...i wouldn't have to take them longer
than I needed to. Why ???

The thing about it is...I had a drink in one hand and lines on
the mirror when I was drinking and using.
I don't really want to go back there...ellegal or not.

I've put together 2-3 months by myself many times..
before i was introduce to AA.

The 12 steps dosn't have anything to do with me drinking.
It's so I don't feel like crap all the time and have a bad attitude
when I'm sober. Living tools I gain from the people in the fellowships.
Tools that my parents or the education system never taught me.
Working on the 12 steps had help me live a happier life.
It hasn't been perfect. but if I stack all the good days
that I lived sober and working the 12 step.
It's paradize. The trick is to be sober when I work the 12 steps

There's probably other living programs.
I admit , I was lazy, the 12 steps was in front of me.
Didn't have it in me to try to re-invent the wheels at that moment.

I affirm and believe and will argue the fact that alcoholics

are physically addicted to alcohol.....lifelong. It is an

allergy, and a progressive and fatal disease. Countless

alcoholics have tried to drink again like normal drinkers

and have been sadly disappointed, and shocked at their

reaction...even after years of abstinence. Many tried

health clubs and health food and supplements, but those

darn vitamins just did not allow them to drink normally.

I have taken the spirit of the story from the Big Book of

AA, but my personal experience backs it up. I had 8

years sobriety. One six pack put me on a bender that

lasted on and off for a year. I put the plug in the jug

a little over a year ago. Physically addictive? Yes.

However, a detoxing alkie needs vitamin supplements!

Love,

:Flower:

Sherry

Alcohol is also serious issue but people often take this subject very easy.

'Scuse me, but I know otherwise.

I went into convulsions, among other things, when I cold turkeyed from booze. That is not mental withdrawal, that is physical withdrawal.

You know what I love about all of you. You.

You are all right. I love it when I can say that.

There are typically 3 stages of the disease.

With all the new treatments, drugs, centers, (good ones),

Better doctors, (you have to seek them out), 12 step programs,acupuncture,

foods, vitamins, massage, exercise, and lets not forget,

family support, and plenty of laughter, we can all get bettter

before we get to the late stages of alcoholism, thats whats starting

to change. The new research is pushing us to get help be fore the physical symptoms

appear......

Oh, one very important part of the treatment i forgot to mention..

LAUGHTER!.

bless us everyone, hope3

Personally, I do believe physically addictive. I had DTs and a seizure when I tried to stop.

Even if they had something that stoped you from drinking...you would switch to something else because the reasons that you drank are still there.....its not a drinking problem it is a thinking problem

Yes, nicely said TryingisDying

We treat the "ISM" (our thinking) when we ingest alcohol.

When we stop, our minds need treatment.

IT'S A MIND POWERED DISEASE!