Medication and Treatment Options for Alcohol Problems

There are so many instances of violence, relationship issues, workplace fights, etc., and that too due to a drink that’s consumed to relax, celebrate, or add enjoyment. People say alcohol in moderation is okay, but what if that first sip leads one to get addicted to it for their lifetime? Alcohol abuse can make your liver and heart suffer and you may struggle with anxiety or depression kind of mental health issues. And, this is why addressing alcohol problems become important. Fortunately, there are medications and treatment options for alcohol problems, which help one quit alcohol. What are those treatment options, let’s learn.

Modern Medicines Contemporary medicines that can help manage alcohol dependency or stop drinking alcohol are prescribed to deal with the psychological aspects of alcohol abuse. Drugs like disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate make the consumption of alcohol unpleasant or block the ecstatic effect of alcohol. They may also reduce the cravings by restoring the chemical balance in the brain. These drugs are taken as pills or injections in varying doses and frequencies as prescribed by the physician.

The worrisome part of these drugs is the side effects they have. A few of the side effects are headaches, nausea, fatigue, liver function changes, breathing difficulties, loss of appetite, and anxiety.

These medications are combined with counseling to address the concerns related to alcohol withdrawal symptoms and to make the treatment more effective, thereby improving results.