Pharmacotherapy of Alcoholism: The American Current Status

Abstract

This paper is a brief review which deals with research findings, clinical issues, and strategies in the pharmacotherapy of alcoholism. The pharmacotherapy is presented according to different clinical phases of the alcoholic process. The acute intoxicated patient receives supportive treatment, to be clinically observed to prevent severe respiratory depression, aspiration of vomitus, and severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Benzodiazepine therapy is the mainstay in treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Disulfiram is the only chemical used in the United States to deter the alcoholic patient from further alcohol drinking. Although there is not a specific agent for alcoholism per se during the sobriety state, the alcoholic patients' concurrent underlying psychiatric conditions (such as schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression) should be treated properly and adequately. © 1991, The Keio Journal of Medicine. All rights reserved.