“Are there any medicines to treat addictive tendencies?”

There are actually a number of medications that can reduce both the craving for alcohol and decrease the incidence of relapses, reduce the number of drinks when relapse occurs, and ultimately improve treatment. They are generally BEST used when combined with a professional program that includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Enhancement, or ContigencyManagement (three behavioral techniques proven to be effective), as well as participation in mutual-help groups such as AA or Smart Recovery. Talk with his primary care provider for more information. The three approved medications are Acamprosate (Campral), Naltrexone(ReVia and generics), and Disulfiram (Antabuse). I generally recommend the first two, and Naltrexone is available in a monthly injection which can improve adherence to the medication. There are also approved drugs for other indications that are being increasingly used in practice.

The ensuing decision to act is made on the basis of beliefs that rely heavily on previous experiences, personal and cultural background, and the information that is perceived by the sensory organs. Patients with anxiety disorders appear to process information about a supposedly dangerous situation with more focused attention compared with individuals without the disorder. Accurate decision-making regarding beliefs is obscured by a flood of details, which leads to catastrophic thinking and indecision.

The FDA has approved two medications to treat alcoholism. I like naltrexone, available either in a pill you take every day or in a shot (Vivitrol) that a doctor gives you once a month. Naltrexone blocks the euphoria caused by alcohol, so it's ideal for occasional drinkers who really like the high from drinking. Nothing happens when you take naltrexone. When you drink, nothing happens either. No buzz, no high, nothing. It doesn't make you sick, it just blocks all of alcohol's effects.

Vivitrol works well for people who more or less want to get sober but aren't likely to take a pill every day. The only downsides are that it must be given by a doctor or a nurse, and without insurance, it costs over $1000 a shot. By contrast, naltrexone pills are extremely inexpensive.

The other FDA-approved drug is Campral, or acamprosate. Some physicians find it helpful, but many addiction specialists in the Untied States aren't convinced it's all that effective. See your doctor for more information about the pros, cons, and potential side effects of each medication.

Do NOT get a prescription for Antabuse, which is a decades-old drug touted to help people stop drinking. If you've taken Atabuse and have any contact with alcohol whatsoever (even applying aftershave lotion), you become violently ill. The problem is that most alcoholics stop taking Antabuse a day or so before they want a drink, and it doesn't work unless you take it regularly.

Absolutely! Naltrexone reduces cravings. They now have a form called Vivitrol that can be given as a once a month injection. Congratulate your husband on his recovery!