Medication May Be the
Treatment Tool You
Were Never Offered.
Many people with alcohol use disorder have tried counseling, support groups, detox, or stopping on their own — without ever being told that medication can be part of treatment.
Medication can help address the biological side of alcohol use disorder while counseling and ongoing support address other parts of treatment. The goal is not one tool instead of another. It is access to all the tools that may help.
Medication may help reduce cravings and address biological drivers that behavioral treatment alone does not directly target.
More Treatment Options Exist.
Many people try to manage alcohol use disorder with counseling, support groups, or even detox — without ever being offered medication. But medication options exist, and they can help reduce cravings, support the brain, and make it easier to engage in counseling and build lasting change.
“Medication didn’t change who I am. It gave me space to focus on the work — and a real chance at a different future.”
Medications can support the biological side of alcohol use disorder.
They may help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and often work best when combined with counseling, peer support, and ongoing follow-up care.
Different Tools.
Stronger Support.
Medications, counseling, and ongoing support each play an important role. Here’s how they can work together:
Medication
Can help reduce cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms, and support the brain’s recovery process.
Counseling
Helps build coping skills, address triggers, and strengthen motivation for change.
Ongoing Support
Family, peer support, and regular follow-up care can help maintain progress and prevent relapse.
There Is More Than
One Medication Option.
There is no single medication that fits every patient. Several evidence-based options may be considered depending on your goals, medical history, treatment preferences, and the role medication may play alongside counseling and ongoing support.
“I was able to find a treatment option that fit my life — not the other way around. It gave me the stability to move forward.”
Different options can fit different patients.
The right approach depends on the individual. Medication can be tailored and used alongside counseling, peer support, and ongoing physician follow-up.
Naltrexone
Can help reduce the rewarding effects of alcohol and may lower cravings.
Vivitrol
A monthly injectable form of naltrexone for people who prefer not to take a daily pill.
Acamprosate
Often used to help support stability after stopping drinking.
Disulfiram
Creates a strong deterrent to drinking for selected patients when appropriate.
Other Options
Selected off-label medications may be considered in some situations.
For a deeper comparison, see Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder: What Works and Why.
How the Right
Medication Is Chosen
The website can explain the options, but it cannot tell you which medication is best for you. That decision happens through a confidential evaluation and an ongoing physician-patient relationship.
Factors That Help Guide the Decision
Drinking Pattern
How often, how much, and what pattern the drinking has taken.
Treatment Goals
Reducing drinking, stopping alcohol, or supporting long-term stability.
Liver & Kidney Considerations
Medical history and safety considerations can affect which options fit.
Other Medications
Current prescriptions and co-occurring conditions may matter.
Daily vs. Monthly Preference
Some people prefer a daily routine, while others prefer a monthly option.
Cost & Adherence
Practical factors like affordability, consistency, and follow-through can shape the plan.
The right medication is not chosen from a website. It is chosen through an ongoing physician-patient relationship.
Treatment can be adjusted as goals, response, medical needs, and circumstances change.
The Doctor You Start With Is the Doctor Who Stays With You.
What Medication Can —
and Cannot — Do
Medication can be a powerful tool in the treatment of alcohol use disorder, but it is not the only tool. Different options may be appropriate for different people, depending on your goals, medical history, and personal preferences.
The best results often come from a combined approach, with medication working alongside counseling, lifestyle changes, and ongoing support.
Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder
Understand Your Options
Learn about evidence-based medications and how they may support your goals.
Review What Fits
Consider your medical history, preferences, and treatment needs to find the best option for you.
Build a Treatment Plan
Use medication as part of a broader plan that includes counseling, support, and ongoing care.
Want to Know Whether Medication
Could Be Part of Your Treatment Plan?
A confidential evaluation can help determine whether medication may be appropriate and which options make sense based on your goals, medical history, preferences, and current treatment needs.