Alcohol Use

Three medications are currently approved in the US for the treatment of alcohol use disorder and can be prescribed by a primary care provider:  Naltrexone (Revia®, Vivitrol®), Acamprosate (Campral )  and  Disulfiram ( Antabuse®).  We don’t use disulfiram anymore because it makes people sick if they drink while taking it.  The other two medications don’t have that effect, are very safe and well tolerated and decrease cravings and urges to drink to help people drink less. They are usually taken as pills by mouth however, once stabilized on naltrexone, there is also an option for a monthly injection that patients favor to not have to remember daily pills.

We can help navigate the many types of treatment plans available for a person experiencing AUD. They can range from very involved inpatient programs that include detoxification and rehabilitation to a mixture of intensive outpatient (IOP) or partial hospitalization plans (PHP), and supportive treatment outpatient programs. Counseling can also be accessed upon request by calling our CareConnect Warmline number and speaking with one of our Substance Use Navigators.

• Outpatient—regular office, virtual, or telehealth visits for counseling, medication support, or both
• Intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization—coordinated outpatient care for complex needs
• Residential—a low- or high-intensity program in a 24-hour treatment setting
• Intensive inpatient—medically directed 24-hour services; may manage withdrawal

Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous® (also known as “AA”) and other 12-step programs provide peer support for people quitting or cutting back on their drinking. Combined with treatment led by health care providers, mutual-support groups can offer a valuable added layer of support.