If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, you may be wondering if there is a medication that can help. Here’s what you should know about using medications to treat alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol use disorder is a severe medication condition that can cause several physical and mental health concerns. If you are struggling with alcohol use, you may feel like you can’t control your drinking or that you need to drink more and more to get the same effects. This can lead to serious health problems, including liver damage, heart disease, depression, anxiety, and more.
Medication can be effective for treating alcohol use disorder. It can help reduce cravings and make sticking to your treatment plan easier. Medication can also improve your overall health and well-being. If you are considering medications for alcohol use disorder, talk to your local mental health provider about the risks and benefits.
Some of the most common medications used to treat alcohol use disorder include naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. These medications can help reduce cravings and make sticking to your treatment plan easier.
Naltrexone is a medication that helps reduce your cravings for alcohol. This medication is best for individuals looking to eliminate or decrease their alcohol consumption with minor interference with their daily lives.
Acamprosate is a medication that helps reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. This medication can also decrease the risk of relapse.
Disulfiram is a medication that causes unpleasant side effects when you drink alcohol, which can help you resist drinking. This medication is not as often used as the others but is best for individuals with a severe alcohol use disorder.
All these medications used to treat alcohol use disorder are generally safe. Unfortunately, side effects cannot be avoided with most medications. The side effects of some of these medications vary depending on the actual medication you are on and the dose of it. However, some common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and dizziness. These side effects can be unpleasant but usually, go away over time. If you are experiencing any severe side effects from her medication, or if the side effects interfere with your ability to function, talk to your prescribing provider immediately. They can adjust your dosage or switch you to a different medication.
If you would like to learn more about medications for treating alcohol use disorder or if you are ready to get an assessment and get the care you deserve today, make an appointment to contact a mental health provider as soon as possible.
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