Brain image technology
has revealed that the habitual abuse of alcohol alters brain function.
Scientist have located the genes that are suspected of making an individual
susceptible to becoming an alcoholic. Despite the fact alcohol is now believed
to be the result of a medical condition, the search for a cure continues.
51 year old Dr. Ameisen
of Paris, France tried to recover for years, but to no avail. He visited
numerous treatment centers, but never coming close to being cured. His only hope
was that the medical community somehow discovered a drug that could finally
remove the constant craving he has felt.
Finally he tried to self-prescribe a series of drug treatments. It
consisted of a drug, Baclofen, commonly used in rat studies seeking a drug to
treat muscle spasms. This drug worked on the treating the reward circuitry of
the brain, and was often prescribed to treat anxiety in patients. After nine
months, Dr. Ameisen reported in the Alcohol & Alcoholism journal, that he had
not had a drink nor felt the previous cravings associated with the disease. He
came to the conclusion that alcoholism and its addiction was associated with
its unique pathological traits. .
In 1935, a 12-step program was begun by Alcoholics Anonymous. It required an
individual to change his behavior as well as embracing a faith in a higher
power.Now, drug researchers have attemped to change
the minds of those who believe it is a social problem, rather than a treatable
chronic brain disease cause by extended drinking. A new drug, first used in
Europe,Campral, is now the first alcoholism drug to win Food & Drug
Administration. It suppresses alcohol cravings by targeting specific brain
chemicals thrown out of balance by drinking. It has a record of relapses, but
habits are hard to break.
In Florida the majority
of clinics stress the use of a drug called Vivitrol.
They combine a method of extended release injection administered once a month
in our office, with daily phone counseling.
