Alcoholism and New Treatment Methods

In the past five years, there have been several new drugs that have been submitted for FDA approval. These drugs, in combination with traditional therapies for alcoholism, such as outpatient treatment and well proven twelve-step programs, promise new hope for alcoholics and their families. With so much research on how the brain and body become dependent on alcohol, there's a new understanding of addiction in general. At any given time, there are approximately fifty trials that involve alcoholism.

New mindsets have begun to turn the tide in the way addiction is viewed and as a result, new treatment methods are being developed. Those opposing the "trading evils" mentality insist the only one proven, and most likely, the only successful programs for the long haul are the traditional twelve step programs. Despite success in early drug tests, there's only limited excitement regarding the potentially life saving pharmaceuticals geared specifically for alcoholism. New treatments have always been received with some skepticism. That might be because many experts believe it's a behavioral disorder versus a disease.

Still, most everyone agrees that efforts dealing with alcoholism treatment methods, new treatments or traditional methods, do best with a multi-tiered approach. These new drugs, should they receive FDA approval, will most likely be prescribed as part of an on-going and multi-layered approach that will include some form of counseling. With so many environmental factors, including job losses, foreclosures and other stresses that are triggers for alcoholics, everyone agrees the more ammunition for alcoholism, whether new treatment or traditional methods, is always ideal.

The Federal and Drug Administration must give its stamp of approval before any new pharmaceuticals are released for widespread use in this country. This process can take years. Despite the extended turn around time, several of these drugs have already made it through clinical trials and are anticipating approval within the very near future.

Another interesting fact regarding the FDA is it only allows a drug company to market a new product exclusively for sixty months; after that, others are allowed to market their own versions as generics. These generics often are the only way many can afford what are otherwise expensive drugs. It's usually then a better grasp of how successful these drugs are is revealed.

Despite the complexities in treating alcoholism, these new treatment methods promise hope as new doors are opened that can lead to successful lives without the inclusion of alcohol addiction.