Treating Alcoholism – Abstinence Out, Medicines In

Alcoholism is not limited to just one word; it has diverse forms and faces. Binge drinking – which is quite common among the adolescent drinkers, dependence on alcohol – which is seen most in the mid- aged, harassed professionals, and chronic alcoholism – which is nothing but ingesting heavy doses of alcohol in one’s body resulting into alcohol addiction or alcoholism. The ill effects of all these kinds are quite worth knowing and understanding. Introduction to alcohol is itself a danger, since it can lead to binge drinking which can further develop into addiction. Alcohol dependence can cause fluctuations in blood alcohol, leading to innate cravings for alcohol. This situation is dangerous and can lead to disorders like high blood pressure and associated issues. Chronic alcoholism is when the person begins with use of alcohol as medicine and ends up in getting addicted to it as if it is a drug. Chronic alcoholism can lead to damage of the internal organ tissues like the liver, lungs, kidneys, heart and the brain; and these damages are 95 % of times unalterable.

Alcoholism is the 3rd condition that leads to severe and fatal health problems, first and second being smoking and obesity, respectively. Over 80,000 people of the world are seen to be doomed to death every year, because of alcohol consumption. There are so many ways of ridding oneself from the addiction of alcohol, right from diet alterations, through counseling, to medications. But the last one is quite rarely known of, understood and accepted. A good number of medications are introduced in the health markets, which is seen to have significant impact on the alcoholics. When followed along with counseling, these medications can improve a person’s chances of staying sober. Though medications can provide miraculous recoveries from alcoholism, they are underrated and not utilized by most of the needy.

Alcoholism, or any kind of addiction, has been scientifically proven as a brain disease and not a fault of the person’s character when put to failure, weakness or will. Old time counselors and teachers support abstinence for recovery from addiction, rather than the medicating agents, since they are recent advancements and the old Mc. Donalds are not updated about the use and effects of these alcohol refraining medications. When talking about alcohol addiction treatment by medications, the most common name is Disulfiram, or Antabuse, as it is commonly known. This medicine is being chosen by alcoholics, since ages, for getting rid of the disease, with severe side effects of horrible sickness. Hence, may be, most alcoholics fear the medicating treatments. But what is our subject of discussion, is completely different. We are talking about medicines that target specific brain centers like those controlling the emotions and feelings of a person such as pleasure, distress, mood, and so on. These medicines control the brain cells that drive a person’s behavior. The recent revolutions in the medicinal world for bringing changes in the treatments of alcoholism are Naloxone (Narcan, ReVia, Depade and Vivitrol), Topimarate (Topamax) and sometimes Acamprosate (Campral).

As far as the switftness of the treatments is considered, no pill is a magic bullet that will kill the disease as shot down the throat. It takes time for good health to build, esp. when someone is recovering from an addiction. Determination is needed from one self and support from close ones is required, and any treatment option can lead to quick relief from any kid of disease or ill- health condition.