The pharmacological treatment of alcohol dependence: needs and possibilities.
Standard treatment for alcohol abuse may include pharmacotherapy to alleviate withdrawal symptoms followed by psychotherapy in inpatient and/or outpatient settings. Treatment goals include abstinence and reduced alcohol consumption. Standard treatment for alcoholism has a high rate of success in Germany; however, for various reasons, only a small percentage of alcoholic patients are admitted to alcoholism treatment programmes. A new drug, acamprosate, could benefit many more alcoholic patients. Several studies indicate that acamprosate reduces the craving for alcohol and enhances abstinence. Acamprosate's effect is dose-dependent and it has a few minor side-effects. In addition, the availability of acamprosate may enable family practitioners to play an increasingly important role in the treatment of alcoholic patients, thus allowing more patients to receive treatment.
Mann
K
K
Department of Psychiatry, University of Tübingen, Germany.
D000077443:Acamprosate; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D013654:Taurine; D000077443:Acamprosate