Antabuse

Disulfiram, also known as Antabuse, was the first medication that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for treating alcohol dependence and abuse. The drug is called an “aversive” because it provides a psychological as well as physical deterrent to help individuals quit drinking. However, it will not treat any symptoms of alcohol withdrawal or stop the craving for alcohol.
Antabuse is much more common in Europe than the United States, and research in the former reveals that individuals who take the drug for a long period of time to quit drinking experience abstinence rates as high as 50 percent. In fact, the drug’s effectiveness increases with prolonged use. The reason is that people who take Antabuse learn coping behaviors and skills as they get into the habit of deciding not to drink.
Although Antabuse is not meant for everyone, it has proven very effective for many individuals. However, you need to consider the following information and talk to your doctor if you intend to use the drug. Antabuse alters your body’s metabolic processing capability of converting alcohol first into dangerous acetaldehyde and then acetic acid. Consequently, the amount of acetaldehyde that can form in your system can be 5 or even 10 times higher than the normal level that occurs when an individual drinks an alcoholic beverage. Depending on your specific tolerance of Antabuse, the amount of alcohol you consume and the dosage of the drug you take, the reactions you may experience can be mild or severe.
For example, some possible side effects if you take Antabuse while drinking include: severe vomiting, thirst, chest pain, tachycardia, distress, hyperventilation, respiratory problems, flushing, throbbing headaches or nausea. More severe reactions are acute congestive heart failure, convulsions, myocardial infarction, respiration depression, arrhythmias or even death.

Campral is a medication that is considered anti-relapse or post-abstinence because it does not affect any early intervention problems such as withdrawal or cravings. European studies reveal a positive effect for some individuals over placebos after they have achieved a level of abstinence; the benefits of preventing relapses also tends to last for a few months after taking Campral. However, if you merely wish to lower your level of alcohol consumption, you will not experience any positive benefits by taking the drug.

Although it is not possible to determine whether Campral is truly effective for helping people to quit drinking, studies reveal moderate long-term benefits from taking the drug. In other words, it may help them to make the necessary changes in their life.

If you are interested in obtaining positive results, regardless of how small, you should consider talking to your doctor. You can discuss your various options and determine which one will best suit your particular needs. The manufacturers of Campral warn users that they need to be involved in ongoing counseling if they want to achieve success with the drug.

Unfortunately, no magic potions or pills exist to cure people of alcohol abuse. The good news is that there are options to help you change. You will need to make a serious commitment in various areas of your life for a period of at least one year. Otherwise, you will end up losing money and time, not to mention risking health problems.

The best way to overcome your alcohol addiction is to remain focused, seek medical assistance and find a suitable treatment method that will work best for you.