| Alcoholism | | | | presumed to restore the brain's chemical balance, thus |
| Alcoholism is indeed a very common and serious | | | | making it easier for people not to drink and is generally |
| chronic illness that affects many persons around the | | | | used in conjunction with psychological support for best |
| world and should not be regarded as a weakness. It is | | | | outcomes. Other medications that may be used include |
| a legitimate disease with known symptoms and an | | | | Revia (naltrexone) and Antabuse (disulfiram), the latter |
| unpredictable course. There is no clear answer why | | | | of which is the oldest drug on the market for this |
| only some persons become addicted to alcohol while | | | | purpose. Antabuse induces severe illness with the |
| others do not. It has been noted, however, that | | | | consumption of even small amounts of alcohol, while |
| alcoholism does have a genetic component. | | | | Revia reduces the alcohol-induced "high". |
| Nevertheless, this alone is not enough to determine | | | | It is important to understand that stopping alcohol |
| one's likelihood of becoming an alcoholic. Your life | | | | consumption is only the first step to recovery. |
| circumstances, environment and personal drinking | | | | Ultimately, behavior change is essential to achieve long |
| habits play a major role in the development of this | | | | term abstinence from alcohol. Specifically, it is the |
| disease. | | | | behaviours and the specific circumstances which led |
| Because of the varied effects of alcoholism (physical, | | | | to the abuse of alcohol which must be addressed. This |
| psychological, financial, etc.), it is important that the | | | | may be done through group therapy or individual |
| treatment be approached in a multidisciplinary manner. | | | | counseling. There are three common types of |
| This will include input from doctors, nurses, counselors | | | | behavior therapy which have proven to be effective in |
| and social workers. As with any other disease, the | | | | promoting alcohol abstinence. These are: Cognitive |
| management of alcoholism begins with a proper | | | | Behavioral Therapy which attempts to modify |
| diagnosis and the formulation of a thorough and | | | | behavior by examining the effect of your thought |
| appropriate treatment plan. This may include a | | | | process on your actions; Motivation Enhancement |
| combination of medication, counseling and support | | | | Therapy which positively reinforces accomplishments |
| groups. | | | | and good practices; and 12- Step Facilitation Therapy |
| Medications are often very effective in the treatment | | | | which focuses on short-term goals in a graduated |
| of alcoholism. The drug most currently developed and | | | | road map at a measured pace. |
| widely used is Campral (acamprosate calcium). This | | | | Note that treatment must be individualized since no |
| drug helps to maintain abstinence in persons who | | | | single medication and behavioral treatment therapy will |
| started their treatment regime alcohol-free. It is | | | | be effective for everyone. |