Medications to Help with Alcohol Dependence: Are They Helpful?

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Medications to Help with Alcohol Dependence: Are They Helpful?

There are several different ways to start your recovery journey. The first hours, days, and weeks are the most challenging. In the first steps of recovery, you will experience physical and emotional withdrawal from alcohol.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a well known and respected recovery program. AA is an abstinence based program. Abstinence based programs believe that sobriety means total and complete abstinence from all mood-altering substances.

Treatment in the form of inpatient or detox centers are another way to recover. Treatment centers incorporate 12 step programs into their recovery programs. Treatment centers encourage involvement in AA or another type of support group.

Both AA and inpatient treatment are excellent interventions to begin your recovery journey. However, each person is unique and has their own challenges and strengths. Many people, especially in early recovery, use medication to help with alcohol cravings, withdrawal and maintenance.

Antabuse is an older medication to help curb alcohol dependency. Antabuse is taken every day. If you drink alcohol while on this medication, you will get extremely ill. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea.

Naltrexone was originally marketed for opioid dependency. Naltrexone was found to decrease the euphoric effects, as well. When taken regularly, Naltrexone has been found to reduce the desire to drink. This medicine takes some time to build up in the system whereas Antabuse works immediately.

There are a few other medication alternatives on the market but Antabuse and Naltrexone are the most common. The negative aspects of the medications are that once you stop taking it, they don’t work anymore. These medicines should not be taken as a stand-alone treatment.

Medication interventions are most useful during early recovery, when cravings are the strongest. However, the best way to guarantee long-term recovery is to understand the roots for the drinking. Understanding the core of your emotions and alcohol use can only be accomplished through 12 step groups, recovery support groups, and even individual therapy. The best way to start this process is to enter alcohol treatment.

At The Kimberly Center, we care about your recovery. Contact us now at 855-4-KCENTER to learn more about what treatment for alcohol means for you. We are committed to helping you or your loved one stop the cycle of addiction with education, treatment, and expertise. At the Kimberly Center, you can trust that you are in safe hands.

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