Alcoholism is Treatable

Abstract

For individuals with alcoholism also known as “alcohol dependency”, meeting with a health care provider and the addition of naltrexone, combined behavioral intervention (CBI), or both naltrexone and CBI improved sobriety. Acamprosate, with or without CBI, was not shown to be effective at improving sobriety. Naltrexone or CBI alone while meeting with a health care provider produced better sobriety than any combination of acamprosate, naltrexone and CBI therapies. Meeting with a medical provider in a primary care setting and the addition of naltrexone could greatly improve effective treatment of alcohol dependence. For individuals who prefer counseling rather than medication, CBI provided by a therapist and the addition of meeting with a medical provider could also improve sobriety.