2025-12-11 11:24:23
A pill on the National Health Service (NHS) could prevent booze cravings.
Acamprosate stabilises brain chemistry, tampening down the cravings that drag people back to the bottle.
Although mainly prescribed for heavy drinkers alongside counselling, moderate drinkers can get it too.
But unlike rival “booze pill” naltrexone, Acamprosate only works if people genuinely want to quit alcohol altogether.
Dr. Omair Ahmed, consultant psychiatrist at Priory Hospital Woodbourne, Birmingham, England, added to Sun Health: “This includes adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder whose clear goal is full abstinence, and who are willing to engage in counselling or support services alongside the medication
“It also includes people who have recently stopped drinking or completed detoxification and struggle with strong cravings or repeated relapses when trying to remain sober.”
Acamprosate balances levels of GABA – a brain chemical linked to alcohol cravings.
Due to this, it’s usually started right at the beginning of withdrawal and can be taken for up to six months.
Despite being around for more than 30 years, experts say the drug is massively underused and its ability to stop problem drinking is very low.
Dr. Ahmed said: “Acamprosate tends to be underused for several reasons beyond simple low awareness.
“Research shows many people who could benefit never get offered any medication at all, even though these drugs are effective.
“Many clinicians, especially in primary care, have limited training in addiction pharmacotherapy and are unsure how or when to prescribe medications like Acamprosate.”
He added: “Some treatment programs still favour a ‘therapy only’ model and are philosophically reluctant to use medications, while patients may worry that needing medication means their problem is ‘worse’.”
However, the pill’s inconvenient schedule – three times a day – also puts some people off.
Acamprosate’s impact varies, with some feeling relief “within weeks,” but longer-term benefits building over months. Dr Ahmed says the results can be transformative.
He added: “But, its main benefits on staying abstinent tend to show up over weeks to months of continuous use alongside support
“I have seen plenty of positive experiences among my own patients and they do very well on Acamprosate, especially when they are already abstinent and engaged in counselling.
“They experience a clear drop in cravings and are able to maintain sobriety for much longer.”
Naltrexone, by contrast, is taken right before drinking and blocks alcohol’s euphoric effects, meaning users are encouraged to carry on drinking to feel the difference.
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