Forums » Open clinical » General clinical » Does depot treatment for alcoholism work?
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Does depot treatment for alcoholism work?
posted at 6/8/2012 10:45 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 346
First: 17/12/2011 Last: 15/6/2013 |
I am seeing a young Polish gentleman tomorrow , who has episodic alcoholism, he is sober for months , then drinks huge amounts for weeks. He sometimes stops after he wakes up in Hospital having had an epileptic fit. His sister in law suggests taking him to Poland where they sometime put a depot injection that 'stops you drinking alcohol'. I presume this is Naltraxone like, or does anyone know of any other depot injection for alcoholism that works? |
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Re: Does depot treatment for alcoholism work?
posted at 6/8/2012 12:25 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 607
First: 8/6/2011 Last: 17/6/2013 |
Hello Pat. I have not experience in depot injections for alcoholism, but what i know is that anonymous alcoholics are doing a great job . Why you don't give them a call ( to his doctors in poland ) and speak with them and ask exactly what substance is in this depot injections and how it works ? |
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Re: Does depot treatment for alcoholism work?
posted at 6/8/2012 7:42 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 346
First: 17/12/2011 Last: 15/6/2013 |
Thanks, I think he speaks no English but I will probably use telephone translation service. He may or may not turn up, one of the joys of inner city practice. I may post later in the week. I hope to get some of the last weekend of the London Olympicsin London, and an informal [pub] KCS reunion. At the two events I have been at [Earls Court volley ball and Cardiff football] one of the best things have been the crowds! |
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Re: Does depot treatment for alcoholism work?
posted at 8/8/2012 11:18 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 346
First: 17/12/2011 Last: 15/6/2013 |
I have now seen this gentleman, I have sent him to the local hospital, I have asked if the on call psychiatry team can see him. I think he ideally needs in patient detoxification, but I am not optimistic that he will get this. I have now seen another Polish lady who's husband is an alcoholic and via the telephone translation service and the internet ,i have learnt a bit more about depot Disulfiram [Antabuse]. I don't suppose anyone in Doc to Doc community know if these implants work at prolonguing abstinence. As far as I know they are not available in the uk. |
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Re: Does depot treatment for alcoholism work?
posted at 8/8/2012 2:06 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1012
First: 15/7/2011 Last: 15/6/2013 |
Pat, I lived for a few years in Finland where alcoholism is a very serious problem indeed. I remember speaking to a Consultant Psychiatrist who was a specialist in addiction - which almost invariably was Alcohol. He said that Disulfiram pellets are injected subcutaneously into the abdoment and if alcohol is ingested (as you suggest) the patient experiences a very unpleasant reaction which ranges from relatively mild to potentially fatal if alcohol is continuously ingested despite the start of a negative reaction. The specialist told me that it allowed prolonged periods of abstinence usually in months to years - but when the Disulfiram was removed or became inneffective there were frequent relapses. Whilst it did not produce a cure, the prolonged abstinence was very beneficial for the patient in terms of personal and family relationships, maintaining work and close working with alcohol counsellors. Incidentally he also told me that the Antabuse tablets produce just the same reaction. He would get the patient to take the first 3 tablets in front of him in his office - apparently that guaranteed at least 2-3 weeks of abstinence due to the prolonged effect of Disulfiram. As you know Pat I am not a Doctor but just thought the story might perhaps help. |
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Re: Does depot treatment for alcoholism work?
posted at 21/8/2012 7:03 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 6
First: 4/8/2012 Last: 4/9/2012 |
Alcohol dependence can be treated by rehabilitation and medication. In some cases, oral medication does not achieve optimum therapeutic effect and in some cases this may be related to poor compliance in taking an oral drug. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist however the neurobiological mechanism by which it reduces alcohol consumption in alcohol dependent patients is not entirely understood. |
Forums » Open clinical » General clinical » Does depot treatment for alcoholism work?
