Medication may reduce alcohol craving

By Staff Writer

An updated review of studies confirms that taking the medication naltrexone can reduce one's dependence on alcohol, when combined with counseling or intervention.

Alcoholism is a chronic disease in which the body grows dependent on alcohol, the Mayo Clinic reports. The condition can lead to a loss of control over how much, and how often one drinks.

Naltrexone is a little-used medication that blocks the pleasurable feelings an individual feels when they consume alcohol. This in turn reduces their motivation to drink.

For the review, researchers examined 50 previously published studies on alcoholism and the medication. Of 7,800 patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence, about 4,200 took naltrexone or nalmefene, a similar drug. The remaining patients were given a placebo.

The researchers found that the patients treated with naltrexone were 17 percent less likely to return to heavy drinking than those taking the placebo. In addition, the medication increased the number of abstinent patients by 4 percent.

When the severity of an addict's drinking is reduced, they become more open to abstinence, according to the researchers. As a result, they said that medication, combined with treatment such as 12-step programs, can yield positive results.

Individuals who feel they have a dependence on alcohol may want to seek substance abuse help.