In this Article

• What is alcoholism? What are symptoms and signs of alcoholism?
• Is alcoholism a disease?
• Which medications treat alcoholism?
• Does alcoholism treatment work?
• Do you have to be an alcoholic to experience problems?
• Are specific groups of people more likely to have problems?
• How can you tell if someone has a problem?
• What is a safe level of drinking?
• Is it safe to drink during pregnancy?
• Does alcohol affect older people differently?
• Does alcohol affect women differently?
• Is alcohol good for your heart?
• When taking medications, must you stop drinking?
• How can a person get help for an alcohol problem?
• Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism At A Glance
• Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Glossary
• Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Index

Which medications treat alcoholism?

Three oral medications—disulfiram (Antabuse®), naltrexone (Depade®, ReVia®), and acamprosate (Campral®)—are currently approved to treat alcohol dependence. In addition, an injectable, long-acting form of naltrexone (Vivitrol®) is available. These medications have been shown to help people with dependence reduce their drinking, avoid relapse to heavy drinking, and achieve and maintain abstinence. Naltrexone acts in the brain to reduce craving for alcohol after someone has stopped drinking. Acamprosate is thought to work by reducing symptoms that follow lengthy abstinence, such as anxiety and insomnia. Disulfiram discourages drinking by making the person taking it feel sick after drinking alcohol.

Other types of drugs are available to help manage symptoms of withdrawal (such as shakiness, nausea, and sweating) if they occur after someone with alcohol dependence stops drinking.

Although medications are available to help treat alcoholism, there is no "magic bullet." In other words, no single medication is available that works in every case and/or in every person. Developing new and more effective medications to treat alcoholism remains a high priority for researchers.

Does alcoholism treatment work?

Alcoholism treatment works for many people. But like other chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma, there are varying levels of success when it comes to treatment. Some people stop drinking and remain sober. Others have long periods of sobriety with bouts of relapse. And still others cannot stop drinking for any length of time. With treatment, one thing is clear, however: the longer a person abstains from alcohol, the more likely he or she will be able to stay sober.

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