Drugs could help alcoholics overcome addiction

Drugs could help alcoholics overcome addiction


Today in news of the weird comes this bulletin: Drugs could be used to treat an addiction to alcohol. It might not sound like a healthy solution, but for some people struggling with the demons of alcoholism, it could be just the ticket.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that when combined with counseling or group support, the drugs acamprosate (aah-camp-PRO-sate) and naltrexone (nal-TREX-own) can help alcoholics by addressing the underlying biological factors that contribute to the disease. It makes them less likely to imbibe, and if they do, not as heavily. For example, naltrexone reduced the number of days study participants drank heavily.

Two other drugs, nalmefene (NAL-muh-feen)and topiramate (toe-PEER-a-mate), are typically used for pain relief and seizure prevention, respectively. But researchers have found a new role for them in treating alcohol abuse.

Experts argue that medications alone can’t cure the problem, however, since alcoholism is also behavioral in nature. Counseling is essential. Psychological and social triggers place recovering alcoholics at a high risk for relapse, but accountability partners and strong group support can help sway patients away from the siren’s song of alcohol.

Other solutions include outpatient therapy, in which a patient stays at a facility to receive treatment. But experts say it can be costly and some dispute its long-term effectiveness.

Cognitive behavioral therapy shows a patient how to recognize his or her own though patterns, moods and situations that leave them craving a drink. Learning these techniques of mind over matter can be valuable for lifelong abstinence.

Regardless of the therapies chosen, medication could be a viable part of that plan. As they say, sometimes you have to fight fire with fire.

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