Alcohol Addiction
Several medications have been FDA approved for treatment of alcohol addiction.
Treatment of Alcoholsim
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Individuals who suddenly stop drinking or significantly reduce the amount they drink can experience alcohol withdraw. Alcohol withdraw can be deadly if not managed properly. This may mean having to be monitored in an inpatient setting or hospital. People with mild or moderate alcohol withdraw symptoms can be managed carefully in an outpatient setting.
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What works for one person may not work for another. Our clinicians can help review all of the available options, including medication treatment. Medications treat alcohol addiction by changing how the body reacts to alcohol.
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Participation in professional counseling or peer support groups like 12-step programs can help improve a persons ability to recover from alcoholism. Medications are more effective when combined with psychosocial treatments like counseling.
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Studies show that monitoring in early recovery can lead to significantly better outcomes because it reinforces accountability and transparency with the patient’s recovery circle
Treating Alcohol Addiction
There are many options available to help patients reduce unhealthy alcohol intake and treat alcohol addiction.
Medications Used to Stop or Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Naltrexone
Naltrexone blocks the “feel-good” response to drinking alcohol. By doing so, Naltrexone can reduce the urge to drink and prevent excessive alcohol consumption. Naltrexone can be taken as a pill or given as a long acting injection, and can be started when a patient is still drinking.
Acamprosate
Acamprosate has been shown to help maintain abstinence in patients recently detoxed from alcohol. It is the preferred medication for patients who are prescribed opioids, or who have a history of advanced liver disease.
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Disulfiram
Disulfiram, or Antabuse, causes patients who take the medication and then drink alcohol to experience an uncomfortable physical reaction including nausea, vomiting, flushing, and headaches. The use of disulfiram has decreased in favor of medications like naltrexone and acamprosate.
Treatment of Depression
Use of medications to treat depression can benefit people whose drinking may be a symptom of depression. Once the depression is effectively treated, heavy drinking can decrease or stop completely.
Medication can help reduce alcohol consumption and promote abstinence.
When is enough enough?
Satiety is how your body knows you have had enough.
Common diabetes and weight loss medications like semaglutide - the active ingredient in Ozempic and Weygovy - target satiety receptors in your stomach and brain.
These parts of the brain are also active in addiction. Addiction and craving are the opposite of satiety.
Patients taking medications like semaglutide have significantly reduced addictive behaviors like drinking and smoking.
Accountability Builds Trust
Our Soberlink program was designed to empower people in their first year of recovery. Studies show that monitoring in early recovery can lead to significantly better outcomes because it reinforces accountability and transparency with the patient’s recovery circle. Soberlink technology utilizes a specialized breathalyzer making it easy to regularly screen for alcohol use.
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602 W Indian River Blvd, Unit 2
Edgewater, FL 32132
Hours
By Appointment Only:
Monday thru Friday
9am - 5 pm
Phone
(386) 868-2619