Antabuse, or disulfiram, is the oldest alcoholism medical treatment. It causes people to have an intense reaction when they drink while on the medication. If you do this, you could experience vomiting, sweating, throbbing headaches, chest pain, low blood pressure, and other symptoms.



If your dosage of Antabuse is strong enough, and you have had a large amount to drink, the consequences could be dire. You could have a heart attack, convulsions, or you could even die. You should be very sure you are ready to quit drinking before you begin Antabuse as an alcoholism medical treatment.

Antabuse, although a proven alcoholism medical treatment that works for many people, is not a wonder drug. It does not stop you from craving alcohol. Neither does it help with withdrawal symptoms. However, it can help you to get into the habit of not drinking.

Naltrexone is a drug marketed as Revia or Depade as an alcoholism medical treatment. It has an extended release from called Vivitrol. This drug has been used when people have stopped drinking to help them to continue their sobriety. It blocks the pleasure people get from drinking alcohol.

Yet, there are some people who experience the opposite effect because they have a different genetic makeup. The drug causes them to crave alcohol. There has been some problem with people taking this alcoholism medical treatment as scheduled. Once-a-month injections seem to cut down on compliance issues. Another problem is that naltrexone can cause some liver problems, depending on the dose.

Nalmefene is another alcoholism medical treatment that works much like naltrexone. It has a few advantages though. It does not cause the liver problems naltrexone does. Also, the drug is stronger and lasts longer.

Campral, or acamprosate, is another alcoholism medical treatment. It works to cut down on the physical misery and uneasiness that occurs when people stop drinking. This is not referring to withdrawal symptoms, which usually only lasts a week or so.

This refers to the time when your body is getting back to normal, which can take a very long time. In fact, Campral is generally prescribed for a year after stopping drinking. Its side effects are mild, so this is possible. It cannot be used to help you stop drinking. It is not that kind of alcoholism medical treatment.

Topamax, or topimarate, is an anti-seizure medication that has recently had success as an alcoholism medical treatment. Unlike other treatments, it can be started while the person is still drinking. In a study, heavy drinkers given the pill were six times less likely to drink while taking it than were the ones who got the placebo.

Alcoholism medical treatment is important to many people. One reason is that more people go back to drinking within the first few months after quitting than any other time. Alcoholism medical treatment can help with this problem.