Given that modern medicine is now revealing the many underlying factors of alcoholism, new treatments are offering more success. The modern approach intertwines a number of strategies, rather than relying on one:
Medication
While this is still a relatively new field to be explored, medications have been developed that block alcohol-brain interactions. There are three leading brands on the market, that have been approved for use by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
They are as follows:
- Antabuse (disulfiram): If you consume alcohol while being on Antabuse, your body is prevented from breaking down the compounds found in alcohol, which leads to unpleasant side-effects such as vomiting, headaches and even heart attacks. Of course the user has to take the medication each day, for it to be effective.
- ReVia (naltrexone): Remember that alcohol entices a huge dopamine release? Well this drug works to block that feel-good effect of alcohol, and instead leaves the user feeling not much at all.
- Campral (acamprosate): Helps to withdraw the craving for alcohol by altering the brain chemistry. It also can help in dealing with the side-effects of withdrawing from alcohol such as insomnia, depression or anger.
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Cirrhosis treatment
With cirrhosis of the liver being one of the most serious consequences of heavy drinking, the need for adequate treatment at the earliest possibility is important for saving remaining healthy tissue within the liver and preventing complete malfunction. Of course abstinence from alcohol is the number one factor in which successful treatment relies on. As covered earlier, the liver plays such a huge role within the body. It’s around the size of a football and works to filter the toxins out of the body. The scar tissue buildup that is a result of heavy drinking is irreversible and leads to many health problems. Treatment of cirrhosis is a huge burden within the United States, with figures above $2 billion in treatment per annum. There currently is no cure for cirrhosis. However, there are treatments available which help to prevent complete liver failure and subsequent disease down the track. These treatments involve lifestyle changes such as losing weight with exercise throughout the day and improving overall diet.
Medication and surgical options for cirrhosis
The type of medication that could be prescribed to someone suffering from cirrhosis varies to great degrees, depending on the individual’s state of health and amount of damage already caused within the liver. There are many side-effects of cirrhosis that can be managed by medication including:
- Diuretic medication to reduce swelling caused by a buildup of fluid within the body (otherwise known as edema).
- A multitude of surgeries and medications can be used to control bleeding from varices, which are abnormal veins that go from the throat to the stomach. Commonly, blood flow is altered to regions of the body, when blood flow is blocked through a malfunctioning liver. This is a life-threatening side-effect of cirrhosis, that can cause severe internal bleeding. Medications work to reduce pressure within the veins.
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Liver transplant
For those that are in advanced stages of cirrhosis, they may require a complete liver transplant. This is due to the fact that the damage is so severe, that the liver may stop functioning altogether. Unfortunately, the liver transplant waiting list is long with a lengthy evaluation needing to occur before being considered for eventual surgery. The 5 year survival rate post-surgery is between 60 to 80%. As is evident, alcoholism is a serious and rapidly growing disease whose sufferers cannot simply stop drinking out of sheer willpower. Often treatment is an incredibly lengthy process as years of compulsive addiction cannot just be turned off overnight. As modern medicine continues to advance in this field, more effective treatments will no doubt be revealed in the near future.