New Anti-Addiction Drug is Promising for Alcoholics in Recovery
An extended-release version of the anti-addiction medicine naltrexone has recently been studied in men and women that are alcohol dependent. This medicine blocks opioid receptors and has been shown to decrease drinking in alcoholics. Additional tests are needed but what this means for alcoholics is that once in treatment and given this drug, the addict would most likely be engaged in the treatment process earlier which would help prepare the alcoholic for life outside of alcohol abuse treatment. It would also help motivate the person in regards to continuing their addiction recovery. If an addict can experience treatment without the urge to drink, then the person is more likely to participate in his or her own recovery, and that person’s success rate of sobriety is increases.
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March 27th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
When I came into treatment I struggled a lot with being dual diagnosed and never having been treated for it clinically. I had also used substances to maintain and medicate myself. For me though, when I started receiving help for my psychiatric issues it helped me a lot with being able to engage the recovery process and be on a level playing field. It sounds like the Neltrexone will do the same thing, hopefully with the younger generation that are getting interested in recovery. The statistics for young people trying to get sober (on their own, not with the help of a recovery facility) are very nil, so with the help of this pill it would be great to see people approach recovery in a much more comfortable manner.
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
My only concern with taking a “pill” to reduce or eliminate cravings, is getting “hooked” on the “pill”! Sooner or later cravings and obsession and other such triggers will occur. In fact, it is almost a given for a person in recovery. Learning tools how to not act on them is essential. As a recovering pill addict, I was addicted to “more”. I even had a run on vitamins! Not the effect, but the thought in the morning of getting out of bed, clutching the bottles and pouring the “pill” out of the bottle , than taking my “pills”, (even before coffee). My sponsor told me I probably shouldn’t take them,I could get addicted to them? I thought she was off her beam, but………she was right, again!
April 24th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
My only experience is with suboxone. Was given it in Feb to help detox from painkillers. It helped with craving and withdrawal. However since I was placed on a daily “maintanence” dose, the side effects have been terrible-major depression, zero motivation, isolation, and loss of libido. I have 69 days clean but I’m going to have to get off this stuff if I want my life back. Beware of that stuff, it works well for a lot of people but it’s far from perfect. BT