What is Antabuse?
Antabuse® is a medicine used by doctors in the treatment of alcohol and alcoholism abuse. This prescription drug "sensitizing alcohol", known as Disulfiram, was the first drug approved to treat alcoholism. Antabuse® discourages alcohol drinking by causing a negative response to alcoholic beverages. The successful use of Antabuse® depends on several factors, including the alcoholic commitment to live alcohol -free life. A typical Antabuse® prescription recommends one pill a day. Drinking any forms of alcohol in the use of disulfiram pills causes a number of unpleasant symptoms, but the reactions may vary in severity. Mild symptoms include headache, nausea, light to severe vomiting, swating, rinse of the skin, dizziness and weakness. Physical conditions can take more than an hour and can continue until the alcohol is removed from the system. Symptoms include convulsions, loss of consciousness and heart problems up to heart failure that can be deadly.
Given the side effects, the treatment of alcoholism with Antabuse® must never be administered against the will or without its knowledge of the person. This medicine for alcohol abuse requires the patient's agreement and cooperation and a strong desire to permanently kick the habit of alcohol. Without a strong obligation by an alcoholic, the disulfiram pill may not work. The alcoholic can simply stop taking pills for one week or more to continue drinking alcohol without symptoms.
Studies show that Antabuse® is approximately 50 percent more successful in the treatment of alcoholisms regularly for several months. Some argue that a higher rate of success stems from changes in behavior rather than the drug itself. New behavior takes time to become usual, so holding a drug for three months or more gives the user the time to create a new pattern of behavior that excludes alcohol drinking.
Although Antabuse® is used to treat alcoholism, does not exclude or reduce desires with alcoholEm alcoholic alcohol. The pills use the physical consequences to discourage alcohol consumption, but does not solve the desire for alcohol. Naltrexon is fighting the physical need for alcohol and was successful for the treatment of alcoholics when they first stopped drinking. Treatment of alcoholism has different rates of success, but the most successful programs combine drug treatment, therapy and regular participation in alcoholics Anonymous and other support groups.