- What Can Be Done For Alcoholism?
QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I continue to find your book, Biological Unhappiness, extremely helpful. I wonder what co-morbidities are often found in alcoholics besides depression? I’ve often thought that alcoholics are self-medicating with alcohol, but what bio-chemical imbalance do they really have, and what medication, if any, helps?
ANSWER:
The most common co-morbidities are the generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, chronic depression, and the BPD – although any mental health diagnosis can be “self-medicated” with alcohol. The exact mechanisms alcohol “works” haven’t been worked out yet. It’s probably most effective because it numbs the pain people feel. There are no good medications for alcoholism at this time. Disulfiram (antabuse) converts alcohol into a substance similar to embalming fluid – making the alcoholic very sick. This medication, when it works, prevents impulsive drinking. Narcan (a morphine blocker) has shown some promise. The best alcohol treatments are inpatient problems and AA. I believe that also treating their underlying diagnoses is very important.
