It is okay to have a little alcohol once in a while. For many, however, one cup of alcohol can lead to others and lead to an intense binging session. This has been a problem, especially for those who are involved in social gatherings. There may be a way to stop such drinking.
The studies show that naltrexone, which is a drug approved by Federal Drug Administration (FDA), can be used to curb binge drinking. This decades-old drug has previously been used to treat alcoholic disorders. Recent research has shown that you can take the drug prior to social events in order to stop binging.
Glenn-Milo Santos (Ph.D. MPH) –a professor at the University of California San Francisco and substance use researcher– said that drug use could be a key tool to reduce dependency and alcohol use by alcoholics.
Tests Involving Naltrexone
A study that was published in the December 2022 issue of American Journal of Psychiatry asked 120 men who had been diagnosed with mild to moderate alcohol abuse disorder to take a pill when they feel the need to drink. Randomly selected participants were given naltrexone when they were needed. Half of them were willing to reduce their binging sessions. The placebo was given to the other half. All participants received weekly counseling to help curb their alcohol addiction.
Participants on naltrexone medication, who were given the drug when they felt the need it, showed a decrease in alcohol cravings after three months of continuous treatment. Participants also reported fewer binging days and less alcohol consumption per month. Six months later, the naltrexone-treated participants showed greater improvement in their disorder. They had fewer binging days and consumed fewer alcohol per month than those who were given a placebo.
Naltrexone
Glenn-Milo Santos believes that increasing awareness about the effectiveness of naltrexone is beneficial for the entire global community, even though it may not be suitable to all alcohol dependents. It has been suggested that naltrexone can be taken on an “as-needed” basis, rather than daily. This is because it helps dopamine levels recover between each use.
Experts agree that taking pills to reduce alcohol intake can help patients feel more in control of their treatment. After regulators approved nalmefene being used for those who want to reduce their alcohol intake, this has been widely adopted in Europe.
