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The Carlat Psychiatry Report

Treatment of Alcoholism (March) | 2004

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The Meaning of “Rehab”

March 1, 2004

Susan Hochstedler, RN, CADAC, is a nurse at Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucestor, MA. She works full-time with substance abusers in The Discovery Program, an addictions day treatment program. Read More

Dr. Stuart Gitlow on using Benzodiazepines in Alcoholism

March 1, 2004

Stuart Gitlow, M.D.

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." Read More

Alcoholics Anonymous: A Primer

March 1, 2004

Daniel Carlat, MD

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). Read More

All About...Antabuse!

March 1, 2004

Daniel Carlat, MD

Guess what: Antabuse (disulfiram) is back in fashion, over a half century after its initial approval by the FDA. You have probably seen some of the infomercials funded by Odyssey Pharmaceuticals and published as supplements by the usual journals. Read More

The New(er) Drugs for Alcoholism

March 1, 2004

Daniel Carlat, MD

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. Read More