A Timesonline article makes the case for giving naltrexone consideration as a treatment for alcohol dependence; a treatment that controversially appears to allow ex-dependent drinkers to control their drinking.
"Naltrexone interrupts the pathways in the brain that enable alcohol to release pleasure-giving endorphins. As Matt, a naltrexone user and recovering heavy drinker, puts it: 'With naltrexone, it's weird. You drink and you feel the effect of the alcohol but it doesn't have the magic.'
If, each time you engage in a behaviour that releases endorphins, you strengthen that behaviour, it follows that if you engage in the behaviour and don't get the endorphin release, you weaken the urge to use it. Thus, unburdened by a craving for alcohol, a former heavy drinker can use alcohol with control."
If, each time you engage in a behaviour that releases endorphins, you strengthen that behaviour, it follows that if you engage in the behaviour and don't get the endorphin release, you weaken the urge to use it. Thus, unburdened by a craving for alcohol, a former heavy drinker can use alcohol with control."
More info
- Interesting times in the pharmacotherapy of alcohol dependence - a round-up of the evidence from Drug & Alcohol Findings
- Naltrexone helps heavy drinkers gain control - a Drug & Alcohol Findings nugget from a Spanish study
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I have tried every other way but my gp wot give me naltrezone
Posted by: Spacebebe | Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 01:12 AM