Medication: Acamprosate (Campral®)

Acamprosate is a drug which reduces cravings for alcohol after detoxification. It works on neurotransmitters in your brain that are involved with addiction and cravings, and if you relapse it's safe to take with alcohol - unlike Antabuse. It doesn't affect your state of consciousness (i.e. it doesn't make you drowsy, or make you feel different). It should always be combined with some psychological or social treatments - like relapse prevention counselling.

You have to take acamprosate three times a day - which, even if it has no other effect, I think helps you to think about why you take it, and to keep your eye on the ball.

Studies have shown that it increases your chance of success considerably. In practice, I've noticed that some people say it works really really well for them; others don't notice any difference. It might be worth trying to see if it makes things easier for you.

Before you're prescribed it, you should have a comprehensive medical assessment including baseline urea, electrolytes and liver function tests¹.

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