Does Antabuse Help Treat Chronic Alcoholism?

June 11, 2013

Last Updated on February 5, 2021 by Inspire Malibu

Noticed in 1948 by coincidence by scholars at a drug firm in Denmark, Antabuse was invented to counteract parasitic contamination but the personnel who were examining it also discovered that they had dangerous effects when they drank alcohol.

When an individual takes Antabuse regularly and if he/she consumes alcohol, the results are quite distressful. Because of this, Antabuse has been tested extensively to treat alcoholism for a number of years now. Also known as “Disulfiram”, Antabuse is being tested for use as a medication in the fight against cancer.

When alcohol is consumed, the liver breaks it down with the help of an enzyme named alcohol dehydrogenase. The liver tears it down into acetaldehyde that causes the hangover effect. With time, the liver is able to break the alcohol further down into the innocuous acetic acid.

Antabuse

Antabuse is not an antagonist, but it acts almost like one by blocking the creation of acetaldehyde and acetic acid. Alcohol users experience a buildup of acetaldehyde in their system that is way more dominant than what they are naturally used to. When they consume only a few drinks while on Antabuse, they feel as if they’ve consumed far more plus all the negatives that come with overdrinking.

While the above holds true, it is also important to note that withdrawal and cravings will still be present

Antabuse Can Be Used by Patients Who:

Do Not Have Any Type of Heart Disease
Do Not Have Any History of Psychosis
Do Not Have an Allergy to Antabuse

When Antabuse is used the abstinence rate has been recorded at 50 percent.

Side Effects of Antabuse:

Vomiting
Misperception
The sweats
Always Thirsty
Head and neck pain
Trouble breathing
Pain in the chest

More resources on Antabuse and it’s usage to Treat Chronic Alcoholism.

Drugs.com

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Inspire Malibu is Joint Commission (JCAHO) accredited and has been designated a Higher Level of Care from the Department of Health Care Services. We are also uniquely qualified to address dual diagnosis disorders.

Inspire Malibu

Inspire Malibu is the premier Non 12 Step, drug, alcohol, and detox treatment center in Malibu California led by board certified addiction specialist Dr. Matthew Torrington, MD. Our state-of-the-art treatment program combines the latest scientific research with proven, evidence-based therapies to address both alcohol and substance abuse successfully. Inspire Malibu is Joint Commission (JCAHO) accredited and has been designated a Higher Level of Care from the Department of Health Care Services. We are also uniquely qualified to address dual diagnosis disorders.