4 Drugs Used for Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Florida
Addiction treatment is an ever-evolving medical science that is constantly looking for new ways to help those suffering from alcohol and drug problems. Walk into any alcohol treatment center and you would notice doctors and therapists using a combination of treatments ranging from detox to drug therapies to counseling. The new reality is that no single treatment works equally well for every addict. This is clearly seen in the arena of alcohol addiction.
Florida
Treatment Center in Florida
Addiction Recovery in Florida
Jacksonville
Orlando
Miami
Tampa
Alcohol is one of the most abused drugs around the world. Here in the U.S., we have our share of alcohol-related problems among children and adults alike. Rather than immediately commit alcoholics to a residential addiction treatment center, doctors and counselors are more apt to try other things first. Drug treatments immediately come to mind. There are a number of drugs currently used for alcohol treatment. These are:
None of these drugs is necessarily appropriate for every alcoholic or alcohol abuser. However, they can be very helpful to those for whom they are prescribed by a licensed professional. To help you better understand why these drugs might be used, we will discuss each one in more detail. You can get more information about each one from the National Institutes for Health and a variety of online resources.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone is an FDA-approved drug used primarily to help prevent relapse among those who have already completed an alcohol recovery program. However, it can be employed by an addiction treatment center to help reduce cravings during rehab as well. Naltrexone is believed to work by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, thus reducing cravings while also reducing the reward that comes from drinking.
Disulfiram
This drug is more likely to be used in outpatient treatment program rather than a residential addiction treatment center. It is also intended for those who are likely to be alcohol abusers rather than addicts. It works by preventing the absorption of alcohol by the liver, resulting in an almost immediate hangover upon the consumption of alcohol. Moreover, the hangover tends to be severe due to all of the alcohol in the blood circulating within the system.
The unpleasant symptoms this drug causes makes it highly effective in helping people who are trying to cut down on drinking before they become alcoholics. It is also a good option for the recovering alcoholic who wants something that can help in an emergency situation when the temptation to drink is high.
Acamprosate
One of the most used drugs to help alcoholics get through withdrawal is known as acamprosate. This drug works by interacting with certain neurotransmitters in the brain to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms during detox. It can be effective in dealing with anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and some of the other more protracted symptoms. However, it is not necessarily helpful in preventing the condition known as delirium tremens.
Acamprosate has shown quite a bit of promise as a drug for helping recovering alcoholics remain abstinent upon leaving an addiction treatment center. Some studies suggest that the drug could be more effective than others in helping those with the most severe alcohol problems.
Topiramate
Although the FDA has not yet approved topiramate for regular use, it is being utilized by some addiction treatment providers on an experimental basis. Like acamprosate, topiramate works on neurotransmitters to help reduce the effects of withdrawal. It is believed that the drug can be used to accomplish a gradual withdrawal without any noticeable symptoms, making it easier for those addicted to alcohol to complete recovery.
It must be noted that none of these drugs is effective for alcohol treatment if a patient continues consuming alcohol at current levels. And, in fact, some studies seem to suggest that continuing excessive drinking even while taking these drugs may render them completely ineffective, both in the short and long terms.
Whenever drugs are used to treat alcohol addiction, the best results are achieved when they are accompanied by counseling and other supportive therapies. Whether seeking treatment at an addiction treatment center or through an outpatient program, drugs alone are rarely enough to accomplish full and complete recovery. Therefore, individuals struggling with alcohol abuse or dependence should not expect a 'magic pill' that will deliver them from drinking.
Sources:
1.NIH – https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/evidence-based-approaches-to-drug-addiction-treatment/pharmacotherapi-1
Florida
Treatment Center in Florida
Addiction Recovery in Florida
Jacksonville
Orlando
Miami
Tampa
Alcohol is one of the most abused drugs around the world. Here in the U.S., we have our share of alcohol-related problems among children and adults alike. Rather than immediately commit alcoholics to a residential addiction treatment center, doctors and counselors are more apt to try other things first. Drug treatments immediately come to mind. There are a number of drugs currently used for alcohol treatment. These are:
- Naltrexone
- Acamprosate
- Disulfiram
- Topiramate.
None of these drugs is necessarily appropriate for every alcoholic or alcohol abuser. However, they can be very helpful to those for whom they are prescribed by a licensed professional. To help you better understand why these drugs might be used, we will discuss each one in more detail. You can get more information about each one from the National Institutes for Health and a variety of online resources.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone is an FDA-approved drug used primarily to help prevent relapse among those who have already completed an alcohol recovery program. However, it can be employed by an addiction treatment center to help reduce cravings during rehab as well. Naltrexone is believed to work by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, thus reducing cravings while also reducing the reward that comes from drinking.
Disulfiram
This drug is more likely to be used in outpatient treatment program rather than a residential addiction treatment center. It is also intended for those who are likely to be alcohol abusers rather than addicts. It works by preventing the absorption of alcohol by the liver, resulting in an almost immediate hangover upon the consumption of alcohol. Moreover, the hangover tends to be severe due to all of the alcohol in the blood circulating within the system.
The unpleasant symptoms this drug causes makes it highly effective in helping people who are trying to cut down on drinking before they become alcoholics. It is also a good option for the recovering alcoholic who wants something that can help in an emergency situation when the temptation to drink is high.
Acamprosate
One of the most used drugs to help alcoholics get through withdrawal is known as acamprosate. This drug works by interacting with certain neurotransmitters in the brain to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms during detox. It can be effective in dealing with anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and some of the other more protracted symptoms. However, it is not necessarily helpful in preventing the condition known as delirium tremens.
Acamprosate has shown quite a bit of promise as a drug for helping recovering alcoholics remain abstinent upon leaving an addiction treatment center. Some studies suggest that the drug could be more effective than others in helping those with the most severe alcohol problems.
Topiramate
Although the FDA has not yet approved topiramate for regular use, it is being utilized by some addiction treatment providers on an experimental basis. Like acamprosate, topiramate works on neurotransmitters to help reduce the effects of withdrawal. It is believed that the drug can be used to accomplish a gradual withdrawal without any noticeable symptoms, making it easier for those addicted to alcohol to complete recovery.
It must be noted that none of these drugs is effective for alcohol treatment if a patient continues consuming alcohol at current levels. And, in fact, some studies seem to suggest that continuing excessive drinking even while taking these drugs may render them completely ineffective, both in the short and long terms.
Whenever drugs are used to treat alcohol addiction, the best results are achieved when they are accompanied by counseling and other supportive therapies. Whether seeking treatment at an addiction treatment center or through an outpatient program, drugs alone are rarely enough to accomplish full and complete recovery. Therefore, individuals struggling with alcohol abuse or dependence should not expect a 'magic pill' that will deliver them from drinking.
Sources:
1.NIH – https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/evidence-based-approaches-to-drug-addiction-treatment/pharmacotherapi-1