Medications Used for Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol is widely used throughout the United States. In 2021, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that an estimated 10.6 percent (29.5 million people) had a past year alcohol use disorder (AUD), the clinical term for addiction.¹

When someone drinks alcohol heavily for an extended period, they risk experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal if they abruptly reduce or stop their alcohol intake.² Withdrawal from alcohol can be uncomfortable, painful, and even life-threatening. Alcohol withdrawal side effects range from mild to severe and may include anxiety, increased blood pressure and heart rate, nausea and vomiting, tremors, and seizures. during medically managed detox, certain medications can help a person more comfortably and safely go through the alcohol withdrawal process.

What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?

An alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic brain condition characterized by continued drinking despite alcohol’s ongoing negative impact on your behavior, thoughts, and other aspects of your health.² People with AUD often struggle to stop drinking even if they want to or have experienced a wide range of negative consequences in various areas of their lives.³

Contributing to the cycle of compulsive drinking is the fact that chronic heavy alcohol use can lead to changes in the brain such that when alcohol use is stopped, uncomfortable and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms may arise. The phenomenon of withdrawal is taken into consideration as one of several diagnostic markers for alcohol use disorders. When it is present, it can make it additionally difficult to stop drinking without help.^4,5

Other signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction that professionals use to make a diagnosis of an AUD include the following:^2,3

• Drinking more or drinking over a longer period than intended.
• Having a hard time cutting back or stopping drinking, even if you want to.
• Spending a lot of your time getting alcohol, drinking it, or recovering from its effects.
• Experiencing cravings or strong urges to drink.
• Alcohol gets in the way of important responsibilities, such as those at home, school, or work.
• You can’t stop drinking even if it has caused relationship problems with other people.
• Taking time away from activities you once enjoyed because of your current alcohol use.
• Repeatedly showing impaired judgment while drinking, such as getting behind the wheel or having unprotected, risky sex.
• Inability to stop drinking even after you know it has caused or worsened a physical or mental health issue.
• Developing tolerance or needing increasing amounts of alcohol to become intoxicated.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment Medication

Medication for addiction treatment (MAT) refers to using medications paired with behavioral therapy to treat an alcohol use disorder (AUD).⁶ There are currently three medications that are FDA-approved to treat AUD. Though each of these works quite differently, they all can be used to decrease continued drinking and help improve treatment outcomes.⁷

Alcohol Withdrawal Medication List

Alcohol use disorder medications include:^6,7

• Acamprosate.
• Disulfiram.
• Naltrexone.

All three can be taken orally, and naltrexone for alcohol use disorder may also be offered as a long-acting injectable, to be administered once a month.^3,7

Alcohol treatment medications function very differently from one another and are ideally used as one part of a larger treatment plan that is developed to meet your needs.⁶

Since everyone will respond to medication for AUD differently, it is important to meet with a medical provider to discuss your needs and preferences so you can work together and figure out which medication and other supports will best help you achieve your goals.⁷

The various medications for alcohol addiction can help decrease the likelihood of relapse and deter continued drinking by limiting the rewarding or euphoric effects associated with alcohol, providing an aversive response to alcohol consumption, and balancing brain chemistry previously disrupted by chronic alcohol exposure and alcohol withdrawal.¹¹

These medications to stop drinking alcohol and reduce cravings are not habit-forming and can be used alone or combined with behavioral therapy or mutual support groups.^3,6

Types of Medication for Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable, and, in severe cases, life-threatening.¹¹ To make the withdrawal process more comfortable and safer, detox medication for alcohol can be prescribed. Relatively long-acting benzodiazepines, which act on similar areas of the brain as alcohol, are commonly used to manage alcohol withdrawal and minimize the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms such as seizures.^8,11 Once your condition is stable, your dose will be slowly decreased as you complete detox from alcohol and transition into additional rehabilitation or treatment.¹¹ Two benzodiazepines indicated for use in managing alcohol withdrawal include:^8,11

• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium). This is a long-acting benzodiazepine widely used for alcohol withdrawal, as it lessens symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and provides prophylaxis against seizures.
• Diazepam (Valium). This is another relatively long-acting benzodiazepine that can relieve acute withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, tremor, and hallucinations, and reduce the risk of developing delirium tremens or seizures.

Alcohol medications are commonly used to treat alcohol use disorder, but whether a program incorporates medications into your alcohol addiction detox, treatment, and recovery can depend on various factors. Some facilities may not utilize medications in their treatment protocol, but even for those that do, not all treatment medications will be a good fit for everyone.⁷ Treatment plans, including which medications are used, should be tailored to each person’s individual needs.^3,7

When you first begin treatment, a thorough assessment will be conducted to gather information about your substance use, physical health, mental health, and any other issues that you may have that might influence whether medications are used or not.⁸

The information provided during your assessment will be used to determine a treatment plan, which may include being prescribed medication to help with your sobriety, as well as incorporating other supports.^7,8 These medications can’t cure AUD, but they can help you stay focused on reducing or eliminating your drinking and lower your risk of relapse.

Additional Support Provided for Alcohol Rehabilitation

Medication can be an extremely helpful tool in the recovery process, but it may be more effective when combined with other treatments and supports.^6,9 Alcohol addiction can impact your mental health, physical health, relationships, and more. Combining multiple techniques can be a good way to address the various ways in which AUD affects your life. Specific therapeutic types, settings, and additional supports that may be encountered during treatment may include:^7-9,

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which works to change behaviors by addressing unhealthy patterns of thoughts, identifying risky situations, developing coping strategies to lessen risk, improving problem-solving skills, increasing motivation to stay sober, and learning how to manage stress.
• Family therapy, which can include attending family counseling sessions or support group meetings to learn how to work together to solve issues, communicate better, and support each other more effectively throughout the recovery process.
• Group and individual counseling, which provide different settings to receive therapy. Group counseling offers a setting where you can give and receive support, while individual counseling offers more privacy to address personal issues in depth.
• Self-help meetings, including 12-step meetings, Alcoholics Anonymous, and similar mutual support groups where you can build peer support as you develop healthy coping skills and strategies to prevent relapse. The incorporation of 12-step or other mutual support programs into treatment can be helpful long after the initial period of treatment has ended, often serving as valuable recovery support for years, if not indefinitely.

How to Find Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs for Alcohol Addiction Near Me

For more information about medication-assisted treatment for alcohol addiction, you may want to reach out to your doctor. You can also contact an admissions navigator at American Addiction Center at for more information and support as you look for alcohol addiction treatment.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) has various rehab facilities around the country that provide drug and alcohol addiction treatment. The following AAC facilities may incorporate MAT as part of your individualized treatment program.

Check Your Insurance for Alcohol Addiction Treatment

If you are looking for alcohol addiction treatment, it can feel overwhelming. As you consider your options, knowing exactly what your insurance plan covers can give you peace of mind while you or your loved one is in rehab. You can do the work of getting and staying sober without worrying about unexpected costs or financial struggles. For more information on what your insurance plan covers, call AAC at , or verify your insurance online in just a few minutes by filling out the form below.

FAQs About Alcohol Use Disorder Medication