No pill does any good if you decide you want to drink. After all, you can just stop taking it at any time.
But if you are struggling to quit drinking and trying everything you can, medication for alcoholism can help make it easier to quit in a few distinct ways:
Naltrexone works in a fascinating way, by making alcohol produce no pleasure for you. That giddy feeling you typically get either while drinking or in anticipation of drinking is gone. New research confirms that it appears to have no serious negative side effects.
Disulfram makes you feel nauseous if you drink (not just if you drink too much). It can be unpleasant, but that’s kind of the point.
Acamprosate makes withdrawal less unpleasant, reducing the anxiety, insomnia and depression often associated with quitting drinking. If you’ve been drinking heavily for a long time, you shouldn’t stop drinking without consulting a doctor about the potential health risks, which can include seizures and even death.
If you’re cutting back or quitting drinking, we’d love to help you! Try out Drinker’s Helper by downloading it here.
