Other medication sometimes used for alcohol problems
- Vitamins, particularly vitamin B1 (thiamine), are often prescribed if you are alcohol dependent. Especially during detox. This is because many people who are dependent on alcohol do not eat properly and can lack certain vitamins. A lack of vitamin B1 is the most common. A lack of this vitamin can cause serious brain conditions called Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff's psychosis.
- Acamprosate is a medicine which can help to ease alcohol craving. This may be prescribed to some people after a successful detox to help them stay off alcohol.
- Disulfiram is another medicine which is sometimes used following a successful detox. When you take disulfiram you get very unpleasant symptoms if you drink any alcohol (such as flushing, vomiting, palpitations and headache). So, in effect, the medicine acts as a deterrent for when you are tempted to drink. It can help some people to stay off alcohol.
After detoxification and staying off alcohol
Many people who successfully detox go back to drinking heavily again at some point. There are various reasons why this may occur. It is thought that you are less likely to go back to drinking heavily if you have counselling, or other support to help you to stay off alcohol. Your doctor, practice nurse, or local drug and alcohol unit may provide ongoing support when you are trying to stay off alcohol. Self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous have also helped many people to stay off alcohol.
If you do go back to heavy drinking, you can always try again to stop or cut down. Some people take several attempts before they stop drinking, or keep within the safe limits, for good.
Further resources and sources of help
Drinkline - National Alcohol Helpline
Helpline: 0800 917 8282 Monday - Friday, 9am - 11pm , Weekends 6pm - 11pm Offers help to callers worried about their own drinking and support to the family and friends of people who are drinking. Advice to callers on where to go for help.
Alcoholics Anonymous
PO Box 1, 10 Toft Green, York, YO1 7ND
Helpline: 0845 769 7555 Web: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
There are over 3000 meetings held in the UK each week with over 40,000 members. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
AL-Anon Family Groups
61 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4YF
Tel: 020 7403 0888 Web: www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Offers support for families and friends of alcoholics whether the drinker is still drinking or not.
National Association for Children of Alcoholics
PO Box 64, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 2UH
Helpline: 0800 358 3456 Web: www.nacoa.org.uk
Services include information, advice and support to children of alcoholics through its free helpline, and training to professionals who come into contact with children of alcoholics.
Know Your Units campaign
From the NHS
Web: www.units.nhs.uk
Aims to tell drinkers how many units are in their drinks and help them stick to their limits.
Department of Health
Their alcohol misuse page
Web: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Alcoholmisuse/index.htm
Includes information on the National Alcohol Strategy, and Policy and advice on sensible drinking and the prevention of alcohol misuse.
References
- Alcohol - problem drinking, Clinical Knowledge Summaries (2007)
- No authors listed; Getting tight on units of alcohol. Drug Ther Bull. 2001 Dec;39(12):95.
- Rehm J, Gmel G, Sempos CT, et al; Alcohol-related morbidity and mortality.; Alcohol Res Health. 2003;27(1):39-51. [abstract]
- Ashworth M, Gerada C; ABC of mental health. Addiction and dependence--II: Alcohol. BMJ. 1997 Aug 9;315(7104):358-60.
Average rating:
mr s osorne, about 1 year
i found this site very helpfull . after years of drinking an when i say drinking i am not a person who needs to drink every day or every week. my problem is when i drink i'm the person who can't stop an does'nt go home for a couple of day's or if i do go home i'm like jeykle an hyde an spoil thing's for the people who are there for me day in an out . I then get very depressed an find it very hard as ive let everyone down. i alway's say i'm not ever going to drink again but then four week's down the line i start to need a drink again, i hate it and how i feel. so ive decided to go and get help.
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