Spring Break
Alcoholism recovery drug may be last chance for addicts
Joce DeWitt
Issue date: 4/17/09 Section: Forum
Do you know someone who is an alcoholic? Maybe a recovering alcoholic? Chances are you do, because there are a lot of them - so many that it really isn't a surprise to hear about the disease anymore.
But what if someone told you there is a guaranteed cure to this rising disease we call alcoholism? You're probably thinking rehab or cold turkey, but I'm talking about a prescription medication called Naltrexone, or "rehab in a pill," if you will.
To better understand what this drug is, you have to first understand the definition of the disease, which dictionary.com defines as "a chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol … the development of withdrawal symptoms on reducing or ceasing intake … and decreased ability to function socially and vocationally."
Basically, if you're an alcoholic, you're addicted to alcohol and it's time to do something about it. This is not just a lack of willpower; it is a brain disease.
CNN recently published a report about Walter Kent, an ex-alcoholic from Rhode Island who drank for more than 30 years. But after using Naltrexone, he can spend every Friday night in his favorite bar and not feel the least bit tempted to have a drink.
So there must be a catch - it's illegal or has awful side effects, right? Actually, no.
Essentially, Naltrexone stops the release of brain chemicals that make people feel satisfaction and pleasure; with this pill, recovering alcoholics don't feel the craving or need to drink alcohol.
Another feature that separates this drug from the rest is that it has no significant side effects; you stop drinking, but you feel good doing it. Not to mention research has shown that it works even better for alcoholics with family histories of alcoholism.
I always found it ironic that a lot of anti-addiction medications are addictive, but fortunately, Naltrexone isn't.
This is how it works: the drug is administered by intra-muscular injection and lasts about 30 days. During this time, the patient, probably for the first time in many years, does not feel the desire to have alcohol in any form.
But what if someone told you there is a guaranteed cure to this rising disease we call alcoholism? You're probably thinking rehab or cold turkey, but I'm talking about a prescription medication called Naltrexone, or "rehab in a pill," if you will.
To better understand what this drug is, you have to first understand the definition of the disease, which dictionary.com defines as "a chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol … the development of withdrawal symptoms on reducing or ceasing intake … and decreased ability to function socially and vocationally."
Basically, if you're an alcoholic, you're addicted to alcohol and it's time to do something about it. This is not just a lack of willpower; it is a brain disease.
CNN recently published a report about Walter Kent, an ex-alcoholic from Rhode Island who drank for more than 30 years. But after using Naltrexone, he can spend every Friday night in his favorite bar and not feel the least bit tempted to have a drink.
So there must be a catch - it's illegal or has awful side effects, right? Actually, no.
Essentially, Naltrexone stops the release of brain chemicals that make people feel satisfaction and pleasure; with this pill, recovering alcoholics don't feel the craving or need to drink alcohol.
Another feature that separates this drug from the rest is that it has no significant side effects; you stop drinking, but you feel good doing it. Not to mention research has shown that it works even better for alcoholics with family histories of alcoholism.
I always found it ironic that a lot of anti-addiction medications are addictive, but fortunately, Naltrexone isn't.
This is how it works: the drug is administered by intra-muscular injection and lasts about 30 days. During this time, the patient, probably for the first time in many years, does not feel the desire to have alcohol in any form.
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