By Dr. Ed Wilson and Dr. Mary Ellen Barnes

“WOW, what can I say – that Naltrexone is great! It took away my cravings and let me get a leg up on my drinking problem. Everybody should try it.” Jay M. San Diego, CA

FDA Approved to Counteract Your Alcohol Cravings

Widely available in Europe for over twenty years, Naltrexone provides quick relief to most drinkers. When used in conjunction with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Naltrexone has been shown to significantly enhance alcohol treatment effectiveness.

For most of our clients it functions in much the same way nicotine patches do for smokers, it cuts the craving for alcohol. In addition, it interferes with the brain’s feeling of well being that is associated with drinking. Simply put, you’ll have less desire to drink and none of the usual rewards from drinking.

Naltrexone support isn’t anything like the more commonly prescribed Antabuse, an aversive drug whose use resulted in violent illness when combined with even trace amounts of alcohol. That did sometimes work for those willing to risk the results and still fits well with the frequently punitive nature of many treatment regimens.

Naltrexone Helps Some Drinkers Moderate Their Alcohol Use

The two-pronged, but non-aversive, effects of Naltrexone have also been found to be effective for those of you seeking to moderate your alcohol use. With cravings eliminated and pleasurable effects muted, drinkers, such as yourself, often find your consumption declining.

As we are sure you can figure out, as alcohol’s appeal declines, other recreational and social activities expand to fill the time formerly allotted to drinking. With this change in emphasis many of our clients find themselves easing back out of alcohol abuse and dependence in much the same way they grew into it.

“I’m successfully drinking only 1 beer a day and really happy about that! The Naltrexone makes such a difference. Thanks.” Bob L. San Pedro, CA

“Naltrexone really did take my craving away. I can now concentrate on getting my life together. This is great!” Marie J. Great Falls, MT

“Naltrexone saved my marriage. What can I say – it works! My drinking is under control. My wife isn’t leaving me. Your program helped me so much.” Ernie. F. Los Angeles, CA

Effective Counseling Insures Long Term Change

Naltrexone helps to level the playing field, so to speak, while competent counseling helps build new behaviors. Long term success means creating a new life without alcohol abuse that is more satisfactory than your old one.

Without effective help, many people will follow their prescription for a period of time then stop using it and old behaviors reassert themselves. Consequently, Naltrexone works best as a temporary support in conjunction with competent professional counseling whether the goal is abstinence or moderation.
Generally speaking, this will involve short-term cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in an outpatient setting. Ideally, the Naltrexone phase in a person’s behavioral change program should last from three to six months with a gradual phase-out, though is easily tailored to individual client’s needs and preferences.

Give Yourself Every Chance For Success!

As you know, real change takes time and a gradual transition away from medical and therapeutic support is usually most effective. The success that you achieve is, after all, usually based on your motivation, support, knowledge, and practice.

Naltrexone isn’t a magic bullet but it does help create a window of opportunity – a window waiting for you to use. Don’t miss this opportunity. With good planning, new activities, and competent support you will find that change is possible.

Remember, your reclaimed life is a tremendous gift to give, both to yourself and those around you. If you would like to try anti-craving medication, our physicians can help – give us a call at 888-541-6350.

By Dr. Ed Wilson and Dr. Mary Ellen Barnes

Naltrexone – The Anti-Craving King

Approved in 1994 by the FDA for use in the treatment of alcohol dependence, Naltrexone has a two-fold effect. In addition to eliminating cravings for alcohol, it also interferes with alcohol’s pleasurable effects. This one-two punch frequently helps alcoholics break the drinking patterns that have held them captive for years.

Because of the manner of its effectiveness, Naltrexone has also been used successfully by people wishing to moderate but not eliminate their alcohol use. While moderation isn’t politically correct in the U.S., it’s a widely accepted treatment outcome elsewhere, and is an option at the best U.S. programs.

Naltrexone is inexpensively available in tablet form to be taken daily, or in the very expensive monthly injectable form called Vivitrol™

Of course merely breaking the pattern temporarily doesn’t cure the problem permanently. As with most significant behavioral change, competent help will make long term success more likely, as well as making the process shorter, more effective, and more cost efficient.

Antabuse – The Old Aversive

Antabuse was the first medicine approved for the treatment of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence by the F.D.A. It is an “aversive,” serving as a physical and psychological deterrent for someone trying to stop drinking. It does not reduce the person’s craving for alcohol, nor does it treat any alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Research in Europe has shown that long-term use of Antabuse is effective in helping some people stop drinking. The longer people take Antabuse, the more effective it is, because they develop a “habit” of not drinking, while they acquire new interests and skills.

Antabuse works by interfering with the body’s usual metabolic processing of alcohol and can cause reactions that range from mild to severe, depending on how much Antabuse and how much alcohol is consumed, along with an individual’s tolerance of the drug.

If you drink while taking Antabuse, you may experience flushing, nausea, copious vomiting, sweating, thirst, throbbing headaches, respiratory difficulty, chest pain, hyperventilation, tachycardia, and distress. Severe reactions can include respiratory depression, cardiovascular collapse, myocardial infraction, acute congestive heart failure, unconsciousness, arrhythmias, convulsions, and death.

Campral – A New Contender

Campral is prescribed as a “post-abstinence” or “anti-relapse” support medication. It has no effect on cravings, withdrawal, or other early stage discomforts. It’s requires 90 days of abstinence prior to taking it.
The results of European studies seem to indicate a modest positive effect – compared to placebos with relapse prevention benefits lasting a few months. Research suggests very modest benefits from Campral in widening a person’s “window of opportunity” for making change.

Campral’s manufacturer notes that its effectiveness is directly related to participation in ongoing counseling. It seems plausible that the counseling has more effect than the drug.

What’s A Person To Do?

We are always happy to discuss medication choices with you. Our personal bias is towards Naltrexone because it has a long and effective track record. Antabuse certainly works but aversives are not usually the most effective treatment options for most people. Furthermore, you need to be very careful when using Antabuse since even hair dye has alcohol in it and that little bit of alcohol can cause you to get very ill. Campral may be of benefit to you after 90 days of sobriety, if you are still struggling with not drinking. However, many people find that after 90 days without a drink, they really don’t need any medication at all. Give us a call at 888-541-6350 and we can discuss your options with you.