Alcoholism Treatment - Should a Drug be a Part of the Prescription?

Through the years I've heard a couple of people I know in recovery from alcoholism say that even if there were a magic pill to cure their disease, they wouldn't take it.

But, I wonder.

Recently a Reuter's news article reported that there is now a shot approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that helps people stop drinking but that the shot in high doses causes liver damage, ironically.

In the 80s the anti-drinking drug Antabuse was popular with some but some alcoholics would try to drink on it - which would just make them violently ill.

Science has yet to develop a magic pill to cure alcoholism but there are some medications that make the transition from drinking to not drinking easier, according to one website.

Forest Laboratories, Inc. announced recently that the drug Campral is now available to doctors, patients, and pharmacies nationwide, which is the first new treatment in ten years. Treatment with the drug should be part of a comprehensive management program that includes psychological support, according to research.

"A major treatment goal for alcohol dependence is to increase rates of abstinence," said Barbara Mason, Ph.D., professor of Neuropharmacology, co-director of The Pearson Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research.

The mechanism of action of Campral in maintenance of alcohol abstinence is not completely understood, according to Forest Laboratories. FDA approval of Campral is based primarily on the agency's review of short and long-term efficacy and safety data from double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. In the clinical trial program side effects for the drug were generally mild with the most frequently reported side effect being diarrhea. The recommended dose of Campral is two 333 mg. tablets taken three times daily.

Interested parties can get more information on Campral and obtain the prescribing information by calling 800-678-1605.

"I've been a heavy drinker for years but realize now that it's all gotten out of hand," said Stephen, who recently wrote to a doctor for help online.

Some people tout the effectiveness of herbal treatment for alcoholism such as The Serenity Mood Enhancer(TM). But in the traditional medicine category there is also Prometa(TM) which is a promising medical approach for the treatment of alcohol, cocaine, or meth dependence. Each treatment is designed to address the biological, nutritional, and psychological aspects of dependence and may be appropriate at various stages of the recovery process, according to their literature. For more information on the drug call 800-700-5500.