alcoholism | CARLAT PUBLISHING

Disulfiram: An Underused Strategy for Alcohol Use Disorders

June 29, 2021

Stephen Wyatt, DO. Private practice psychiatrist with certification in addiction psychiatry, Charlotte, NC. Dr. Wyatt has disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

We unravel the myths that keep psychiatrists from using disulfiram (Antabuse) in alcohol use disorders. In the right patient, this medication is very effective and far less dangerous than the alternative: continued drinking.

Exposure Therapy Efficacious for PTSD Co-Occurring With Alcohol Use Disorder

November 22, 2019

Brian Frankel, MD

Brian Frankel, MD Dr. Frankel has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Prolonged exposure is one of the best treatments available for patients with PTSD. This study examines the advantages of using prolonged exposure for patients who have PTSD with co-occurring alcohol use disorder.

The COMBINE Study: A Core Paper in the Treatment of AUD

November 22, 2019

Brian Frankel, MD

Brian Frankel, MD Dr. Frankel has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

This research update summarizes the results of the landmark COMBINE study which evaluated the effectiveness of stand-alone and combined pharmacological and behavioral interventions for treating alcohol use disorder.

Treating Alcohol Use Disorder

October 2, 2019

Albert J. Arias, MD, MS

Albert J. Arias, MD, MS
Associate Professor, Psychiatry Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Associate Division Chair, Addiction Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. Dr. Arias has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

We have five main medications to offer patients with alcohol use disorder: acamprosate, disulfiram, gabapentin, naltrexone (PO or IM), and topiramate. The combination of naltrexone and gabapentin may work better than either of these two medications alone.

Biomarkers of Alcohol Use

October 2, 2019

The newer biomarkers of alcohol use include carbohydrate-deficient transferrin; ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate; and phosphatidylethanol.

Gabapentin Enacarbil XR Efficacy Less Than Expected for AUD

August 1, 2019

Thomas Jordan, MD

Thomas Jordan, MD Dr. Jordan has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

This 2019 randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled trial study casts doubt on using gabapentin enacarbil extended-release (GE-XR) (Horizant), an extended-release version of gabapentin, for treatment in patients with alcohol use disorder

Alcohol-Induced Blackouts

October 4, 2018

The recent Senate hearings regarding Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh have brought up the topic of alcohol overuse, and especially the issue of the alcoholic blackout. This post covers what alcohol-induced blackouts are and aren’t, and how to differentiate them from simply passing out from too much alcohol.Alcohol is a...

The New(er) Drugs for Alcoholism

March 1, 2004

Daniel Carlat, MD

Daniel Carlat, MD Dr. Carlat has disclosed that he has no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Reviewing the new medications for alcoholism brings us into a pharmacologic netherworld. Nothing is very clear, and when you think you've finally come to a conclusion, a new study comes along to cast a fresh fog over everything.

Alcoholics Anonymous: A Primer

March 1, 2004

Daniel Carlat, MD

Daniel Carlat, MD Dr. Carlat has disclosed that he has no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

By now, it is clear that the most effective treatment for alcoholism is consistent attendance at AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings. Not only have outcome studies shown that AA attendance promotes abstinence, but in addition, therapy aimed specifically at encouraging AA attendance has been shown to robustly increase the chances that patients will actually go to meetings and get sponsors (Alcohol Research and Health, 1999;23:93-98).

Dr. Stuart Gitlow on using Benzodiazepines in Alcoholism

March 1, 2004

Stuart Gitlow, M.D.

Stuart Gitlow, M.D. Medical Director, Family and Children’s Service Nantucket, Massachusetts Author, Substance Use Disorders Lipincott, Williams, and Wilkins 2001

Dr. Gitlow, let's get right into the issue of benzodiazepines. A typical scenario for many of us in office practice is that we will see a patient recently out of detox who will say, "Well doctor, I have always had terrible anxiety whether I have been drinking or not, I have tried this and I have tried that, and if I can't take something that will help my anxiety, I am sure I am going to start drinking again."