Medicinal Treatments

• One medication that works to lessen cravings for alcohol is called Acamprosate (Campral). Naltrexone (ReVia) also reduces the urge to drink.
  
  Vivitrol, the first injectible drug to treat alcohol dependence, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006. Vivitrol is a version of the drug naltrexone. The patient receives a monthly injection in the buttocks by a health care professional. Vivitrol may reduce the urge to drink by blocking neurotransmitters in the brain believed to be associated with alcoholism.
  
  

Aversion Therapy

• Another treatment available to help problem drinkers abstain is what's known as aversion therapy. The patient is given a medication that will result in nausea or vomiting if alcohol is consumed. One such alcohol-sensitizing drug is called disulfiram (Antabuse). It produces a severe physical reaction that includes flushing, nausea, vomiting and headaches.
  
  

Inpatient Treatment and Support Groups

• When someone enters an inpatient facility, he typically begins his stay with a detoxification program that can last up to one week. Patients may even be given sedating medications to offset potential withdrawal seizures. Many inpatient programs last for a period of 30 days and include individual and group counseling sessions.
  
  When possible, some people may undergo outpatient treatment so they may continue their normal work routine, etc.
  
  Following or concurrently with such treatments, many recovering alcoholics continue to attend weekly support group meetings in an effort to maintain long-term sobriety. The oldest and perhaps most popular recovery group is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) where members follow a 12-step program. Members of AA are urged to admit their "powerlessness" over alcohol and live one day at a time.