Alcohol Use Disorder Medications: What Works, What to Avoid, and How They Help

When someone struggles with alcohol use disorder, a medical condition where drinking causes harm to health, relationships, or daily life. Also known as alcohol dependence, it’s not a lack of willpower—it’s a brain condition that changes how reward, stress, and impulse control work. The good news? There are proven medications that help people regain control, reduce cravings, and stay off alcohol longer than willpower alone.

Three main drugs are FDA-approved for this: naltrexone, a pill or shot that blocks the pleasurable effects of alcohol, making drinking feel less rewarding; acamprosate, a daily tablet that helps stabilize brain chemistry after stopping drinking, easing anxiety and restlessness; and disulfiram, a medication that causes unpleasant reactions—like nausea and flushing—if you drink, creating a strong deterrent. Each works differently, and none is a magic fix. But when paired with counseling, support groups, or lifestyle changes, they significantly improve success rates.

What’s missing from most conversations? These drugs aren’t for everyone. Naltrexone works best for people who still drink occasionally but want to cut back. Acamprosate helps those who’ve stopped and need help staying stopped. Disulfiram requires strict commitment—because if you drink while taking it, you’ll feel awful. There’s also off-label use of topiramate and baclofen, but those aren’t FDA-approved for this use yet. And here’s the key point: these medications don’t cure alcohol use disorder. They manage it, like insulin for diabetes or statins for cholesterol. The goal isn’t to feel perfect—it’s to give you the space to rebuild your life without the constant pull of alcohol.

What you’ll find in the articles below are real-world comparisons, safety tips, and stories from people who’ve used these drugs. You’ll see how side effects compare, why some people stop taking them too soon, and what happens when you combine them with other meds—like antidepressants or painkillers. No fluff. No judgment. Just clear, practical info on what actually helps people get and stay sober.