Alcoholism is medically defined as a disease.
According to Wikipedia ( the free encyclopedia): “ Alcoholism is a disabling addictive disorder characterized by compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol despite its negative effects on the drinker’s health, relationships, and social standing.”
Alcoholism  is a chronic disease  just like other drug addictions or blood hypertension,  diabetes or arthritis are diseases.
“Chronic” means that it lasts for a long time and causes the problems again and again. Alcoholism is a treatable disease. The main goal of treatment for alcoholism is to stop drinking alcohol. It is a difficult task, because most people who used to abuse alcohol still often  feel a strong desire for alcohol even after they stop drinking.
There are few different  types of treatment for alcohol addiction  are available nowadays.
One of them is Naltrexone program.
The mechanism of action of Naltrexone in alcoholism is not completely understood. It is thought that endogenous opioid system is involved in mechanism of creation of alcohol dependence.  Naltrexone, being  a full  opioid receptor antagonist, competitively binds to such receptors and blocks the effects of endogenous opioids. Some scientists believe it works by affecting the neural pathways in the brain where the neurotransmitter dopamine is found.
Numerous clinical studies have shown that treatment with Naltrexone supports abstinence, reduces craving for alcohol,  prevents relapse, helps people stay sober for a long time.. This medicine is not a complete cure for alcoholism, but it can help alcoholics stop drinking while they get any other recommended treatments.  Like most pharmaceutical treatment programs  for alcohol and drug abuse, Naltrexone therapy works best if it is used in connection with an overall treatment regime, such as psychosocial therapy, counseling  and support group participation.
Naltrexone is primarily used  in the management of alcohol dependence and opioid addiction. Naltrexone hydrochloride is available as the brand name Revia and Depade.
In April 2006, the FDA approved a time-extended (once-a-month) injectible form of Naltrexone under the name of Vivitrol for the treatment of alcohol addiction. Several studies demonstrated that  the monthly injection form of Naltrexone was more effective in maintaining abstinence over the pill form, because it excludes the problem of medication compliance.
In form of tablets Naltrexone is usually prescribed to be taken once a day. Generally, it is prescribed for 3 months to help those people who have stopped drinking to reduce their craving for alcohol during the early days of recovery when the risk of a relapse is the highest.
Naltrexone is not aversive therapy, so it does not cause a disulfiram-like reaction  in case of ethanol ingestion.
The combination of naltrexone and disulfiram , a drug that is also used for alcohol abuse treatment as an aversive therapy, may cause increased liver toxicity and liver damage when taken together. This combination should be avoided or at least be discussed  with a doctor and approved for short-term use.
Results of many medical trials demonstrated that the side effects of Naltrexone appear to be similar in both alcoholic and opioid dependent cases, and that they are usually short-lived and mild. The most common side effect is nausea. The other less common side effects are dizziness, insomnia, headache, anxiety, nervousness, drowsiness.
People who have acute hepatitis, liver or kidney disease should not take Naltrexone.
Because naltrexone affects brain areas where narcotics and alcohol work,  any narcotics, such as codeine, morphine or heroin must not be taken while you are  on naltrexone.  Any cough medicine containing codeine in it must be avoided.  Naltrexone can cause or worsen withdrawal symptoms in people who are taking opiates or opioid containg medications.  All opioids must be completely excluded in 7 to 10 days before  naltrexone treatment starts.
However in case of pain management non-narcotic pain relievers can be effectively used without restriction while a person is on Naltrexone.
Naltrexone is likely to have little impact on other medications patients commonly use such as antibiotics, sedatives, allergy medications.  Because naltrexone is metabolized  by the liver, other medications that affect liver function may affect the dose of naltrexone.
Naltrexone usually has no euphoric or any other psychological effect and the patients are not  getting  either “high” or “down” while they are on naltrexone.
Naltrexone is not addictive medication. Naltrexone does not cause physical dependence and it can be stopped at any time without withdrawal symptoms. While it does seem to reduce alcohol craving, it does not interfere with the experience of other types of pleasure.
People who are on Naltrexone are  advised to carry a card explaining that they are under  naltrexone protection and to instruct their physicians on pain management. In case of  going to have optional surgery, Naltrexone intake should be stopped at least 72 hours beforehand.
If naltrexone is well tolerated and the patient is successful in staying abstain from alcohol, the recommended initial course of treatment is 3 months. During  that time the patient and the  doctor should evaluate the need to continue treatment on the basis of degree of improvement and degree of continued concerns about relapse.
Alcoholism is both  physical and mental disease. Both body and mind must be treated. To achieve the best result to overcome an addiction  we recommend  complex therapy   combining medicine and psychosocial treatments. These treatments are supposed to help you to change your behavior and cope with your problems without using alcohol. There  is a range of available  psychosocial treatments such as  counseling, family therapy, group therapy, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and in-hospital treatment. In-hospital  treatment, to our professional opinion, is the most effective method of treatment ( particularly  in initial stage of treatment) due to possibility of using special medical techniques and apparatuses to restore chemical imbalance in the brain of an addict  and thus to create a good ground for the next steps in a process of successful recovery.

Alcoholism is medically defined as a disease. According to Wikipedia ( the free encyclopedia): “ Alcoholism is a disabling addictive disorder characterized by compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol despite its negative effects on the drinker’s health, relationships, and social standing.” Alcoholism  is a chronic disease  just like other drug addictions or blood hypertension,  diabetes or arthritis are diseases. “Chronic” means that it lasts for a long time and causes the problems again and again. Alcoholism is a treatable disease. The main goal of treatment for alcoholism is to stop drinking alcohol. It is a difficult task, because most people who used to abuse alcohol still often  feel a strong desire for alcohol even after they stop drinking.
There are few different  types of treatment for alcohol addiction  are available nowadays. One of them is Naltrexone program.
The mechanism of action of Naltrexone in alcoholism is not completely understood. It is thought that endogenous opioid system is involved in mechanism of creation of alcohol dependence.  Naltrexone, being  a full  opioid receptor antagonist, competitively binds to such receptors and blocks the effects of endogenous opioids. Some scientists believe it works by affecting the neural pathways in the brain where the neurotransmitter dopamine is found.
Numerous clinical studies have shown that treatment with Naltrexone supports abstinence, reduces craving for alcohol,  prevents relapse, helps people stay sober for a long time.. This medicine is not a complete cure for alcoholism, but it can help alcoholics stop drinking while they get any other recommended treatments.  Like most pharmaceutical treatment programs  for alcohol and drug abuse, Naltrexone therapy works best if it is used in connection with an overall treatment regime, such as psychosocial therapy, counseling  and support group participation.
Naltrexone is primarily used  in the management of alcohol dependence and opioid addiction. Naltrexone hydrochloride is available as the brand name Revia and Depade. In April 2006, the FDA approved a time-extended (once-a-month) injectible form of Naltrexone under the name of Vivitrol for the treatment of alcohol addiction. Several studies demonstrated that  the monthly injection form of Naltrexone was more effective in maintaining abstinence over the pill form, because it excludes the problem of medication compliance.
In form of tablets Naltrexone is usually prescribed to be taken once a day. Generally, it is prescribed for 3 months to help those people who have stopped drinking to reduce their craving for alcohol during the early days of recovery when the risk of a relapse is the highest.
Naltrexone is not aversive therapy, so it does not cause a disulfiram-like reaction  in case of ethanol ingestion.
The combination of naltrexone and disulfiram , a drug that is also used for alcohol abuse treatment as an aversive therapy, may cause increased liver toxicity and liver damage when taken together. This combination should be avoided or at least be discussed  with a doctor and approved for short-term use.
Results of many medical trials demonstrated that the side effects of Naltrexone appear to be similar in both alcoholic and opioid dependent cases, and that they are usually short-lived and mild. The most common side effect is nausea. The other less common side effects are dizziness, insomnia, headache, anxiety, nervousness, drowsiness.
People who have acute hepatitis, liver or kidney disease should not take Naltrexone.
Because naltrexone affects brain areas where narcotics and alcohol work,  any narcotics, such as codeine, morphine or heroin must not be taken while you are  on naltrexone.  Any cough medicine containing codeine in it must be avoided.  Naltrexone can cause or worsen withdrawal symptoms in people who are taking opiates or opioid containg medications.  All opioids must be completely excluded in 7 to 10 days before  naltrexone treatment starts.However in case of pain management non-narcotic pain relievers can be effectively used without restriction while a person is on Naltrexone. Naltrexone is likely to have little impact on other medications patients commonly use such as antibiotics, sedatives, allergy medications.  Because naltrexone is metabolized  by the liver, other medications that affect liver function may affect the dose of naltrexone.
Naltrexone usually has no euphoric or any other psychological effect and the patients are not  getting  either “high” or “down” while they are on naltrexone.
Naltrexone is not addictive medication. Naltrexone does not cause physical dependence and it can be stopped at any time without withdrawal symptoms. While it does seem to reduce alcohol craving, it does not interfere with the experience of other types of pleasure.
People who are on Naltrexone are  advised to carry a card explaining that they are under  naltrexone protection and to instruct their physicians on pain management. In case of  going to have optional surgery, Naltrexone intake should be stopped at least 72 hours beforehand.
If naltrexone is well tolerated and the patient is successful in staying abstain from alcohol, the recommended initial course of treatment is 3 months. During  that time the patient and the  doctor should evaluate the need to continue treatment on the basis of degree of improvement and degree of continued concerns about relapse.
Alcoholism is both  physical and mental disease. Both body and mind must be treated. To achieve the best result to overcome an addiction  we recommend  complex therapy   combining medicine and psychosocial treatments. These treatments are supposed to help you to change your behavior and cope with your problems without using alcohol. There  is a range of available  psychosocial treatments such as  counseling, family therapy, group therapy, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and in-hospital treatment. In-hospital  treatment, to our professional opinion, is the most effective method of treatment ( particularly  in initial stage of treatment) due to possibility of using special medical techniques and apparatuses to restore chemical imbalance in the brain of an addict  and thus to create a good ground for the next steps in a process of successful recovery.

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