The Role of Medication In Alcohol Addiction Recovery

Medication for Alcohol Addiction can sometimes be imperative, if you need a detox, and useful once you are sober. Let our experienced addictions clinicians give you an overview.

If you drink alcohol, consistently, for a long enough period it will alter your brain chemistry. Alcohol sits on receptors in the brain and affect the way your brain works. After a time, your brain becomes used to it’s presence and if you stop drinking suddenly (or cut down too quickly) you will become very ill: very quickly.

Here at Find Me a Rehab, we have experienced addictions clinicians who have helped thousands of patients between them over many decades in private rehabs, prisons and statutory services (including home detox). If you need a Free Rehab Referral Service or Help With Alcohol Addiction, call for free advice in total confidence.

Medication For Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol withdrawal, left untreated, can be a life threatening condition. Sadly, people die from alcohol withdrawal. Often, people will attend A+E because they are in withdrawal only to be sent away with the advice to carry on drinking. While alcohol is dangerous, long term, if you keep drinking it: If you are systemically dependent on it, you are at more risk if you stop without medical intervention.

If you drink alcohol, constantly, throughout a 24 hour period, find you feel unwell if you do not drink for 4-6 hours or wake up in withdrawal: You need medical intervention.

The standardised treatment for alcohol withdrawal is a benzodiazepine. There are various ones and, usually, a short acting one is used. This is to ensure you don’t become addicted to it. How many tablets/capsules you need and for how long is dependent on your clinicians assessment. Your age, other medications, how much you drink, etc are all vitals components of an assessment and prescribing decision.

If you think you can lock yourself in your bedroom with a bucket, a roll of toilet paper and some bottled water to ride it out: Forget it. You are putting your life at risk. While the early signs of withdrawal may be minimal (and for some they will pass on their own) you will soon encounter serious problems, including seizures and possible delirium. These are acute medical emergencies.

Medication For Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol contains glucose. After a time, the glucose in the alcohol will prevent your gastrointestinal tract from absorbing vitamins from food. In time, this can lead to brain damage. If caught early enough, it is 100% preventable which is why alcohol withdrawal treatment is often combined with vitamin replacement treatment, sometimes with a drip. Left untreated, you will be left with permanent brain damage.

While there are other medications that have been suggested as being useful for alcohol withdrawal, such as Pregabalin, there is insufficient evidence to support their use. As such, benzodiazepines remain the mainstay of treatment. Unless you have liver damage or are on certain medications, the type of Benzodiazepine you are prescribed really is not that important. Our clinicians have their go to medications: It varies from clinician to clinician.

Some people want to be treated at home. It is possible, but only in a very limited number of cases. Be incredibly wary of companies who advertise this service. By and large they are doing it illegally. One of our clinicians would be pleased to explain why and how it is a false economy. In fact, you can go to a rehab centre for a the same price as a company who will, illegally, sell you pills in the post.

Medication For Alcohol Addiction

Home detox can be an option and there are a few legitimate services. Call and speak to one of our clinicians for free advice. On the whole, it should be avoided. These services rarely provide medical care and no therapy or aftercare. As such, a relapse is almost certain.

While a detox can only be achieved with Benzodiazepines, there are other medications that you can discuss with your addictions clinician. You can talk to one of ours, for free, who can advise and signpost you. These medications, while not used for detox, do have some use in reducing cravings and promoting abstinence. However, they are not designed to be used as a standalone treatment but rather to complement a 12 step/SMART approach. The idea that you can sit at home, pop a few pills and you are cured is a fantasy.

The Effectiveness of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Alcoholism Recovery

Recovery from alcohol is a a complex process of which a medicated assisted withdrawal is the first step. There are those who do not need a detox. Indeed, if you don’t need one taking the medication for withdrawals would be dangerous as you will be over sedated.

Remember: Benzodiazepines replaces alcohol on receptors in the brain. If the alcohol is not there, the medication will not be used to cover the lack of alcohol so will simply take root on the receptors forcing open chemical channels. Benzodiazepines are sedatives and thus that amount will be dangerous.

There are various adjunctive medications that can be used, in addition to support groups and therapy for alcohol recovery: Post detox. If you don’t need a detox your clinician may prescribe this immediately.

Naltrexone

Originally used for post detox treatment in opioid dependent clients, Naltrexone has been found to be useful with alcohol treatment. This is known as the Sinclair Method.

Alcohol makes you feel relaxed and euphoric. Naltrexone will diminish these feelings. As such, where someone does not require a detox, Naltrexone can be used to diminish the pleasurable effects of alcohol. Thus you take it an hour before drinking.

The theory is that you will extinguish your desire to drink because you are not getting any pleasures from it. It only works if you drink seven days a week. A similar medication called Nalmefene, can be used for those who do not drink daily. One word of caution: Naltrexone and Nalmefene will not stop you getting drunk and they will not prevent a hangover.

Acamprosate

Acamprosate is designed to stabilise the regulation of brain chemicals that are disrupted when you drink. The theory is that this will normalise your emotional and physical discomfort that often happens when you are first free of alcohol. If your emotional and physical health are restored you can focus on your recovery.

Disulfiram

Disulfiram is a medication that produces uncomfortable physical symptoms if you drink: Vomiting, headaches and nausea. This is designed to put you off drinking. It is important to carry it with you so, in the event of a medical emergency, healthcare staff know what might be causing your symptoms.

Therapy

Pills, potions and lotions alone are not going to work. Alcohol recovery is all about working on the reasons as to why you were drinking. Medications can be useful: They certainly have their place. However, they are not designed to work in isolation. They are not a quick fix.

Can I get these from my GP?

In a word: No. Due to complex commissioning protocols only GP’s who operate shared care addictions treatment can prescribe these and this is very rare. In any event, Disulfiram is only prescribed by a consultant, in hospital, to begin with.

Community drug and alcohol services, funded through your council tax, may be able to provide them but you will need to be a client of their service. This is free of charge, but the process can be rigorous. You can expect regular breathalyser testing, meetings and groups.

Medication For Alcohol Addiction

Inspiring stories of recovery abound, showcasing the transformative impact of medication-assisted treatment. Individuals who once felt trapped in the cycle of addiction have found renewed purpose and strength through MAT. Their journeys underscore the importance of a compassionate and evidence-based approach to alcoholism treatment, one that recognizes the value of medication as a vital component of recovery.

In conclusion, the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment in alcoholism recovery is a testament to the progress made in understanding and addressing addiction. By combining medications with counseling and behavioral therapies, MAT offers a comprehensive and hopeful path to sobriety. It empowers individuals to overcome the challenges of alcoholism, rebuild their lives, and contribute positively to their communities. As we continue to advance in the field of addiction treatment, the role of medication will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of successful recovery strategies.

Medication For Alcohol Addiction

Here at Find Me a Rehab, we have experienced addictions clinicians who have helped thousands of patients between them over many decades in private rehabs, prisons and statutory services (including home detox). If you need a Free Rehab Referral Service or Help With Alcohol Addiction, call for free advice in total confidence.

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