Has anybody tried taking Campral to help with alcohol cravings?

Question

I talked to my doctor today about my drinking problem. I want to stop drinking, but I know it's going to be hard. (I've tried before with no sucess) I asked her about medications to help me get through the process and she told me about Campral.

I didn't start taking it yet because my doctor wants me to get my depression under control first (apparently Campral can worsen depression, which isn't what I need right now.) So I'm taking a new antidepressant and going back to my doctor in three weeks. Then we'll decide about the Campral.

So in the meantime, I've decided to research it a little. If you know about it, or if you've taken it, I'd appreciate any imput.

Thanks

Answer 1

I think it's great that you are going for help. Not many people have the strength to do it.

I'm going through some substance problems myself and your question interested me, because I saw my Psychologist today and we had a discussion about similar meds.

I've done some reading about Campral and there's a lot of BS out there. Merc is the company that manufactures it and the description they give on their website on how it works is pretty vague. It also appears that it's not FDA approved in the US, where it's more widely used in Europe - I'm not sure if that means much, because there are many FDA approved drugs that don't work for what they are prescribed for.

I got a pretty good description from NetDoctor over here;

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100000440.html

From reading it, it appears that the way it works, is that it stimulates your brain in the same way alcohol does or in essence, acts like fake booze, thus decreasing the cravings. You will eventually have to be weaned off of this drug (similar to alcohol ?!?!). It's not designed to reduce withdrawal symptoms and it will not work if you continue to drink. Taking this drug a lone will not cure your addiction; it is an adjunct treatment to an intensive phycotherapy program for substance abuse.

It appears that you have a Psychiatrist lined up. If you don't have a good addiction therapist lined up, I would try to find one before taking this medication. You should manage your expectations and goals to be concurrent with the success of your therapy, where the Campral will provide additional support to keep you from hitting the sauce.

I'm glad you brought this up; this is something I will discuss with my psychiatrist next week.

In my situation; I'm battling several years of synergistic drug abuse and a few mental disorders (Bipolar and borderline personality disorder). I was initially prescribed anticonvulsants (mood stabilizers) to manage my manic highs and depression and it was imperative that I stoped drinking and using so that I could let the meds work. My Psychiatrist hooked me up with a good Psychologist that specializes in substance abuse. I have one on one sessions with both of them and am also part of managed group therapy for substance abuse with 8 other people, run by two psychologist.

I'm doing really well, but still have cravings. Through the therapy, I've identified the emotions, people and situations where I drink the most. The most prevalent of situations is business travel and this is where we started talking about the anti-drinking drugs. My psychologist recommended I take Antabuse. This is totally different from Campral. This stuff will make you very sick even if you consume a little booze. Essentially it's designed to reduce your cravings by literally, PUTTING THE FEAR OF DEATH IN YOU!

I'm not sure how bad your drinking problem was or if Campral or Antabuse will work for you. I'm not sure Campral would work for me and it's just one more thing I would have to be weaned off of. You are going to have to go cold turkey on the booze for at least two months if you want the antidepressants to work, regardless of whether or not you take the Campral. If you drink with antidepressants, they won't work that well and the campral will make you more depressed. It doesn't make sense to me?

This is my opinion, I am not a Dr. Your Dr. certainly knows what's better for you than me. I know that my cravings are powerful, especially when I'm in certain situations, with that said, I feel the Antabuse is appropriate and will provide the support I need.

I hope this helps and if you want, I can email you and let you know what my Dr. thinks of Campral when I speak to her. Feel free to email if you have any other questions.

Answer 2

Get into detox, then into a program of your choice, everything else is a waste of time. I know.