Medication is often an effective option for prolonging abstinence from alcohol. It is best when used as part of a complete treatment program that includes psychosocial support. ¹

Campral is the latest medication to be approved for the treatment of alcoholism. Indicated for the maintenance of abstinence in individuals with alcoholism, Campral should be started once a person has been withdrawn from alcohol. ²

Campral has been proven to significantly help alcohol-dependent patients prolong the duration of abstinence or remain completely alcohol-free. In trials that measured the effectiveness of Campral plus psychosocial support versus placebo (sugar pill) and the same types of support, Campral patients consistently did better in terms of days to first drink, the percentage of alcohol-free days, and in maintaining complete abstinence from alcohol. People who continued to take Campral in the event of a relapse often were able to regain their abstinence. Many were shown to have shorter and less severe relapses than people not on medication.

While no one knows exactly how Campral works, it is believed to help restore the normal brain balance that constant alcohol exposure upsets. This reduces the distress and discomfort, such as anxiety, tremors, and sweating, that many alcohol-dependent patients experience even after they have stopped drinking. If you would like to learn more about how Campral works with your body, read more about its mechanism of action.

Other medication options for managing abstinence from alcohol include Antabuse^®, also known as disulfiram ³ and ReVia^®, known as naltrexone hydrochloride ⁴. These medications act in different ways in the body.

Only a doctor can prescribe these medications. As a friend or family member of an individual with alcoholism, you can help encourage a visit to a doctor, who will determine if medication is the right choice. To help your friend or family member start a dialogue, you can use our list of questions to ask your doctor.