The center has worked with health, government, and social service agencies to offer resource guides, training for nonspecialized counselors, and coordination of services for people seeking help for their addiction. Researchers hope that combining the drugs will curb the desire for alcohol while preventing the distress of withdrawal symptoms. But the medications will work only if taken faithfully. The study seeks to confirm that psychosocial therapy makes a difference in keeping people on their medications. In 1995, naltrexone was approved as a treatment for alcoholism, the first medication so designated in 50 years.
Naltrexone counteracts the brain's natural opiates to dull the craving for alcohol.
Acamprosate works on the glutamate system of the brain, the part responsible for arousal and attention, normalizing the hyper-excited state that chronic alcohol abuse causes upon cessation. Acamprosate is in use in Europe and also was tested at Sinai Samaritan, but is not yet available commercially. The study is expected to make an important contribution to the future of alcoholism treatment, according to Ron Cisler, senior scientist at the center. This could result in significant cost savings. The previous study was an eight-year project involving 1,726 problem drinkers around the country.