• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Complications
• Diagnosis
• Treatment for Alcoholism
• Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal
• Therapy
• Medications
• Resources
• References

Alcoholism

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of alcoholism.

Alternative Names

Alcohol dependence, Alcohol abuse

Highlights

Drug Approval

In 2006, the FDA approved Vivitrol, a once-a-month injectable form of the anti-craving drug naltrexone. Naltrexone is also available as ReVia, a daily pill. Doctors hope that the monthly injection will provide an easier option for some patients.

Outpatient Treatment For Alcoholism

Alcoholism can successfully be treated in a doctor’s office, according to an important 2006 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association . The Combining Medications and Behavioral Interventions for Alcoholism (COMBINE) trial -- the largest study ever conducted on drug and behavioral treatments -- evaluated various alcoholism treatments in over 1,300 patients who had recently stopped drinking. Study results indicated:

• A “medical management” approach, which involves regular brief office visits with a health care provider, is an important cornerstone for alcoholism treatment.
• Either naltrexone or behavioral therapy, combined with medical management, can help prevent relapse to heavy drinking.
• The anti-craving drug acamprosate (Campral) had no effect on drinking either when used alone or in combination with naltrexone.

Early-Age Drinking Increases Risk for Alcoholism

People who start drinking alcohol before the age of 14 are five times more likely to eventually become alcohol dependent than those who start drinking after age 21, according to a study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine . The survey of 43,000 adults also found that people who start drinking at a young age have an increased risk of developing alcoholism within 10 years. Experts call for more programs that will help adolescents delay drinking.

Quit Smoking When You Quit Drinking

Smoking hinders the brain’s ability to recover from alcoholism, suggests a 2006 study. In the study, patients who continued to smoke after stopping drinking had poorer brain function and brain cell health than those who quit smoking. About 80% of alcohol-dependent patients are chronic smokers.

• Review Date: 12/3/2006
• Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.