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Suggest Medication To Help Treat Alcoholism

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Posted on Tue, 18 Aug 2015
Question: I want to eliminate alcohol. I read about antibuse. Is there a more effective, updated drug to assist?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (0 minute later)
Better to start chlordiazepoxide. But first consult psychiatrist and get done counseling sessions. This will help you more in deaddiction.
Please hit thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (17 minutes later)
I dont think its quite to the point of withdrawal. I have a pretty regimented exercise schedule. I run triathlons. I am looking for more of the deterent. Remove the temptation
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (45 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
antabuse is useful when used under medical supervision

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing to us.

For any deaddcition motivation and will to quit substance are the most important things.

For alcohol deaddiction two treatment stages.

First: Control of withdrawal symptoms

After long duration more quantity of daily alcohol use if person stops alcohol suddenly he/she gets withdrawal symptoms. Severity of symptoms depends on quantity and duration of alcohol intake. These symptoms can be treated with benzodiazpepine drugs and gradually they are stopped. Almost major withdrawal symptoms stopped within 7-10 days.

Second Phase: Maintenance phase

In this main target is keeping the person away from alcohol. Few people can do this with motivation only without any drug. Few needs anticraving agents
There are no specific drug which kills the desire for alcohol. But fluoxetine, topiramate can help up to some extent.
Other agents are used so called anticraving agents. These include antabuse(disulfiram), naltrexone and acamprosate. Among them I feel disulfiram is the best drug when taken with will and medical supervision. Actually it improves motivation. Person does not take alcohol due to fear of alcohol-disulfiram reaction. It may be life threatening reaction. I used to advise take disulfiram for at least one year.

If you do not feel withdrawal and living healthy life, you can start antabuse.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Chintan Solanki

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

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Suggest Medication To Help Treat Alcoholism

Better to start chlordiazepoxide. But first consult psychiatrist and get done counseling sessions. This will help you more in deaddiction. Please hit thanks.