Pills for Alcohol Dependency

Many people who suffer from alcoholism are opposed to any treatment options that require much effort.  They wonder if there are pills for alcohol dependency.  Spending a lifetime avoiding uncomfortable feelings, the idea of entering into a long-term drug and alcohol treatment facility are often pretty daunting.  As a result, many seek shorter, easier solutions, including medications.  This isn’t to say that medications aren’t without merit, however if the motive is to “avoid to hard part”, then little success is usually to be found.

Two of the most commonly used pills for alcohol dependency:

Disulfiram (Antabuse)

A pharmacotherapeutic medication used in the treatment of alcoholism is disulfiram (Antabuse). These are pills for alcohol dependency that make people sick if they use alcohol while taking them. Because patients have to take disulfiram every day, compliance with this aversive medication is its major limitation. If they take disulfiram regularly, patients are unlikely to abuse alcohol because they will get sick. Disulfiram has been used particularly effectively with alcoholic opiate addicts who are maintained on methadone because they can take both the methadone and disulfiram together, and methadone compliance is very good. In other settings, observed daily ingestion of disulfiram can occur at places of employment or through treatment programs tied to probation, parole, or work release.

Naltrexone (revia)

In 1995, the Federal Drug Administration approved a new indication for this medication in the treatment of alcoholism. Naltrexone has been previously used as an opioid antagonist in the treatment of opiate overdose and as an aid in opioid dependence. Previously known as Trexan®, the DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Co. renamed it REVtA.

The primary indication of REViA in the treatment of alcoholism is to reduce the craving mechanism for alcohol. Several studies have indicated that with the use of naltrexone along with adjunct psychotherapeutic approaches (coping skills, relapse prevention, supportive therapy), relapse rates have declined at least in the short term (less than six months abstinence).

Reality of Pills for Alcohol Dependency

It is important to note, however, that there isn’t a “magic bullet” or pill that will undo years of psychological, emotional and physical damage brought on by alcoholism.  Learning how to face one’s problems in a healthy way cannot be done with a pill.  Cognitive forms of therapy, group therapy, or even support groups are one of the most effect means of alleviating alcoholism.  In reality, most clients looking for pills for alcohol dependency to fix their problem without a willingness to do the “extra” work necessary, probably will have little chance at long term success.

Interventionist for Pills for Alcohol Dependency

Intervention Services can guide, educate or be a resource to you, the one who is reaching out.  Essentially, Intervention Services is on hand 24 hours a day to help you to help your loved one who may be abusing drugs or alcohol.  If you have questions or need to speak with someone, understand that most of our employees are  recovering professionals who can speak with you as someone who once abused drugs themselves.