Medication may be an effective option for managing alcoholism.

Campral (also known by the generic name, acamprosate calcium) Delayed-Release Tablets are the latest medication to be approved for the treatment of alcoholism. Campral is indicated for the maintenance of abstinence from alcohol in individuals who are alcohol-free when their treatment begins. Campral should be used as part of comprehensive treatment program that includes counseling or support groups.

In several clinical trials, Campral plus psychosocial support was shown to help up to 3 times more people stay alcohol-free than placebo tablets (sugar pills) combined with the same types of support. For other people in these trials who had a slip or relapse, Campral prolonged periods of abstinence. Remember, relapse is often a part of recovery.

Campral is thought to work by restoring the chemical imbalance in the brain caused by chronic exposure to alcohol. This makes it easier for people not to drink.

Other medications, such as Antabuse® (disulfiram) and ReVia® (naltrexone), work differently than Campral. Antabuse will make people very sick if they consume even small amounts of alcohol. Naltrexone reduces the “high” associated with drinking alcohol.

Only a doctor can prescribe these medication therapies. To start a dialogue, you can use our list of questions to ask your doctor.