alcoholism treatment

Naltrexone is effective for Alaska Natives

harminka — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:14:02 -0500

Access to treatment for alcohol dependence (AD) in rural and remote areas is limited. This study evaluated the effectiveness of two pharmacotherapies for AD – naltrexone alone, and in combination with sertraline – among Alaska Natives (ANs) and other Alaskans living in rural settings. Findings indicate that naltrexone is just as effective on its own as it is in combination with sertraline.

Analysis of alcoholics' brains suggests treatment target

harminka — Sat, 03 May 2008 09:54:02 -0500

An analysis of brain tissue samples from chronic alcoholics reveals changes that occur at the molecular level in alcohol abuse – and suggests a potential treatment target, according to researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

primary alcohol prevention programs are needed for tweens

harminka — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:26:56 -0600

A study by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and the University of Florida suggests that ‘tweens’ should receive alcohol prevention programs prior to sixth grade, when nearly one in six children are already alcohol users.

Dealing with Stress-Treatment for Alcohol Abuse

harminka — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 15:33:25 -0500

A researcher at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) is initiating a study of "mindfulness-based stress reduction," a technique often used in behavioral medicine for stress reduction but not before as an adjunct in the treatment of alcohol use disorders.

Alcohol abusers need more residential alcohol treatment

harminka — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 08:12:24 -0500

The negative consequences of alcohol use and abuse have a disproportionate impact on racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. New research findings indicate that racial disparities in treatment completion could be reduced by increasing enrollment in residential alcohol treatment for African American and Hispanic alcohol abusers.

Promising treatment in battle against alcohol dependence

harminka — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:19:55 -0500

Researchers at the University of Virginia have led a multisite clinical trial showing that the drug topiramate is significantly more efficacious than placebo at curbing alcohol dependence. Subjects had to be drinking heavily and were not abstinent when they started the trial.

Migraine pill is good therapy for alcoholics

Dinka — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:48:10 -0500

Alcoholics can now do without detox treatment thanks to a migraine pill. The drug, Topamax, works in a different way than three other medications already approved for treating alcoholism.

Medication promises treatment for alcohol dependence

harminka — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 08:02:58 -0500

Alcohol-dependent patients who received the medication topiramate had fewer heavy drinking days, fewer drinks per day and more days of continuous abstinence than those who received placebo, according to a study in the October 10 issue of JAMA.

Ankyrin, kinase domain containing 1 gene may influence alcoholism

harminka — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 02:15:22 -0500

The neurotransmitter dopamine is believed to influence the development and/or maintenance of alcoholism.

Binge drinking appears to rise in Mediterranean countries

harminka — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 02:06:59 -0500

Binge drinking has traditionally been more common in Anglo-Saxon and northern European countries than Mediterranean countries.

Craniofacial anthropometry To identify patients with fetal alcohol syndrome

harminka — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 02:04:52 -0500

Computerized craniofacial anthropometry can help identify patients with fetal alcohol syndrome

Family history of alcoholism affects response to heavy drinking drug treatment

harminka — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 07:39:43 -0500

Naltrexone is one of four oral medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of alcoholism. A recent large multicenter research study of alcohol dependence supported by the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), the COMBINE Study, suggested that naltrexone produced a modest but significant benefit but another FDA-approved medication, acamprosate, was ineffective.