Medications For Stopping Alcohol Cravings
Alcohol, and the powerful, and life threatening effects it has on its victims is all consuming, as are the cravings felt by those trying to beat the hold it has in them. While an alcoholic is drinking, the cravings are relatively easily dealt with as they are safe in the knowledge that the next drink is never far away, alcohol is easy to get right?
But imagine being an alcoholic who has made the decision to quit. The craving will come, and they will engender a sense of fear and panic as they work on the brain, growing stronger as you think of one thing; I want a drink, and I can’t have one. The stakes are high as a lapse is never a small one.
Medication has stepped into this space in a big way, in an attempt to help break these repetitive habits, and sooth the receptors in the brain. Amongs the most commonly used are Vivatrol, Chantrix and Naltrexone. Campral (acamprosate calcium) has been used as a treatment for alcoholism for many years outside the US. It has recognition from the Food and Drug Administration. While the makers state that they are not exactly sure of the mechanism by which it works, it is believed that it can somehow repair the damage done to neural networks by years of alcohol abuse. It an also help with the disturbing aspects of withdrawal from drinking, such as sleep disturbance, sweating and emotional ups and downs.
Naltrexone is another drug whose affects have been studied and found to be effective in helping with cravings, but as with Campral, it is not fully understood, but it is thought to work on the dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway, a part of the brain that gives “rewards” and may be responsible, in part, for addiction. Available by prescription, it can involve insomnia and nausea as side effects.
Antabuse (Disulfiram) has been in use since the early 1950’s. It works less on the brain, and more on the stomach by producing a violent reaction to even a small amount of alcohol. It can be ingested or even placed within the lining of the stomach of the user. Once alcohol is taken, reactions can include flushing, violent vomiting and weakness. But studies down the years have shown that takers of the drug have shown improvements in that they can experience longer and longer periods between lapses.
Serotonin is one of the (many) neuro-transmitters within the brain. Any upset to the balance in serotonin levels can cause a craving for alcohol in those trying to escape its effects. Zofran works on the receptors within the brain that deal with serotonin, and thus reduce cravings. This is available from your doctor or health care giver and side affects are known to include constipation and weakness as well as tiredness.
Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs that mimic the effects of alcohol. Diazepam has been found to be good at relieving the symptoms of withdrawal and cravings, but must be used with care to avoid addiction in its own right. Benzos are not the best choice for someone that has an addiction history and problem.
Holistic approaches that include support systems, meditation, visualization and affirmations are ways to help deal with cravings by using the power of the mind to undo patterns. Other natural approaches to alcohol cravings are encouraged by many practioners.