Medicines To Reduce Consumption
Some treatments aim to reduce alcohol consumption as an alternative to abstinence.
Nalmefene
Nalmefene acts on the reward system in the brain, reducing the desire to drink. It is not aimed at abstinence but at reducing consumption among people who do not require eating immediately.
This medicine is only available by prescription.
Nalmefene comes in the form of tablets to be swallowed. It is taken punctually, 1 to 2 hours before the moment during which there is a risk of alcohol consumption (for example, at the end of the afternoon if there is a probability of drinking in the evening).
The tablet should be swallowed whole and should not be crushed or split.
The dose not to be exceeded is one tablet per day, and a second intake should not be planned even in the event of a new risk of alcohol consumption on the same day.
The treatment should be taken as prescribed by the doctor. Its benefit is conditioned by the observance of the patient who, to be helped in his approach, benefits from psychological and social monitoring (help by a social worker, by associations of former drinkers, etc.)
If nalmefene is prescribed, your attending physician will give you a patient guide during the initial consultation, which explains the treatment and indicates the elements to be monitored, as well as a drinking diary to follow the evolution of your alcohol consumption and the effectiveness of the treatment. Promptly report any symptoms that worry you to your doctor.
Baclofen
Baclofen reduces the irrepressible urge to drink (the “craving”). It is used in people with high-risk alcohol consumption and for whom other drug treatments have failed.
The patient, to be helped in his approach, benefits from psychological and social monitoring (help by a social worker, by associations of former drinkers, etc.)
Baclofen comes in the form of tablets to be swallowed. It is prescribed in prolonged treatment until obtaining control of alcohol consumption, which can go as far as abstinence. It also reduces the chances of relapse in abstinent people.
If baclofen is prescribed, your attending physician will give you a patient guide during the initial consultation, which explains the treatment and indicates the elements to be monitored. Promptly report any symptoms that worry you to your doctor.
In the event of ineffectiveness observed after three months, the doctor decides to gradually stop the treatment by reducing the doses prescribed over 2 or 3 weeks because the treatment with baclofen must never be stopped suddenly.
Medications That Help Maintain Abstinence
These drugs allow the maintenance of abstinence (absence of alcohol consumption) and are prescribed once the weaning is obtained. They are therefore given to prevent relapses of alcohol consumption.
They are prescribed to people who benefit from prolonged care, including psychological support.
Disulfiram
Disulfiram works by causing violent disgust when drinking alcohol. These aversive seizures are called the “antabuse effect”. The Antabuse effect is manifested by vomiting. It is accompanied by very uncomfortable effects such as tachycardia, flushing of the face, or hypotension. It can appear regardless of the source of alcohol: drink, food, perfume, etc.
Disulfiram is in the form of a tablet to be swallowed, at the rate of 1 tablet per day, for prolonged treatment. The tablets should be taken at least 24 hours after the last alcohol consumption.
Other Ways To Stop Drinking Alcohol
In the case of alcohol dependence, medication is an aid in reducing consumption and weaning, as well as relapse prevention when abstinence from alcohol is achieved.
Associated or not with the taking of treatment, various aids are possible to accompany you in stopping the consumption of alcohol :
- Motivational interviewing with a doctor. It is an exchange to strengthen your motivation and your commitment;
- Accompanying psychotherapy. They consist of introspection work carried out with a psychotherapist to understand the causes that may have led to addiction. There psychotherapy is ideally carried out after weaning ;
- Cognitive and behavioural therapies. They aim to deconstruct “conditioned” addictive habits ;
- Discussion or support groups supervised by associations or other social structures. Discussing with people in the same addiction situation and the same weaning process can help with the success of the weaning.
Interventions To Avoid And Favour
It is quite normal for parents to worry and wonder about their child’s behaviour when they reach adolescence. It is possible to feel powerless and unsettled in the face of the changes in our teenagers. At this age, he is developing his perspective on life and questioning the values he has been taught. He needs to go and see for himself if what he has been taught is true. He seeks to differentiate himself and forges his own identity.
You know what? It’s completely normal and healthy, even if it may seem difficult. Given the change during this period, it becomes more difficult to distinguish what belongs to normal development from what can become problematic. One of the fears expressed by parents is related to the development of certain consumption habits in their children.
However, the consumption indices are sometimes difficult to identify. In case of doubt, here are the interventions to avoid and those to privilege.
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