Antabuse
Image scan of brain damage caused by excessive use of and addiction to alcohol
Disulfiram (Antabuse), a sensitizing or deterrent agent, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of alcoholism in 1951. It has been used as an aid in managing chronic alcoholic patients who want to remain in a state of enforced sobriety so that they can participate in outpatient treatment and 12-step programs effectively.
Disulfiram produces sensitivity to alcohol that results in a highly unpleasant reaction when the patient taking it drinks even small amounts. It does this by interfering in the alcohol enzymatic metabolism (breakdown) pathway resulting in an accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood. This toxic by-product of normal alcohol metabolism produces a complex of highly unpleasant symptoms, including intense nausea and vomiting, sweating, flushed skin, throbbing headache, respiratory difficulties, blurred vision and confusion.
Antabuse has a valid place as an integral part of certain recovery programs. However, because of its toxic reactions, it does have some safety issues, although they are much less than the safety issues related to continued alcohol use. Therefore, it is not usually used as a first line treatment for alcoholism any more. Rather, it is a medication to be used only if all other standard treatments fail, or it can be added to other pharmacological strategies, such as adding it to Vivitrol/Campral or Campral by itself.
When Antabuse is used, it is very important that it is given to you under a monitored situation. You need to be watched while you are taking it each morning, and your mouth should be orally inspected after swallowing in order to ensure compliance. If the compliance is ensured via visual monitoring (observation), Antabuse can be very effective.
Unlike Campral, however, Antabuse acts only as a deterrent; it does not heal any of the damage caused by the alcoholism. The does of Antabuse is 250 mg/day and live function blood tests should be obtained by your primary care physician on a quarterly basis (four times/year).
Enterhealth Life Recovery Center uses Suboxone in conjuncture with best-in-class addiction therapies including eLearning behavioral modification and one-on-one coaching support, to create a personalized addiction recovery treatment for every individual. Enterhealth offers you the ability to learn, understand and put into practice the coping skills necessary for long-term sobriety.
