Could Medications Help Treat Alcoholism?

Alcoholism and other substance abuse disorders can dramatically increase mortality risk. Yet a recent study conducted by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shows that certain medications, including acamprosate and oral naltrexone, can work as effective drugs in fighting against these health issues.

"Most people with alcohol use disorders aren't getting any treatment, and only about 10 percent are getting a medication as part of their treatment," said lead researcher Dr. Daniel Jonas, an assistant professor of medicine at the university, via WebMD.

For the study, researchers looked at 122 randomized trials and one cohort study to determine their findings.

The researchers then calculated the number of people who would have to be treated with a drug to see the benefit in a single patient, according to the news organization. They discovered that 12 patients would have to be given acamprosate to see a benefit from the drug in one patient, while for naltrexone, it would be 20 patients. 

"The decision of which alcohol treatment to choose should be the result of discussions between patients and their clinicians that take into account patient values, preferences and goals," said Dr. Katharine Bradley, a senior investigator at the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle and co-author of an accompanying journal editorial.

As alcoholism can significantly damage the liver, brain and dramatically increase the risk of other health issues, researchers continue to examine these and other treatments that could potentially provide help for the health problem. 

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the JAMA Network Journals.