Alcohol USE Disorder (AUD)

 

Are You

  • Drinking more or longer than you planned to at times?
  • Having recurrent alcohol use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home?
  • Wanting to or trying to cut down or stop drinking, but could not?
  • Spending a lot of time and effort to get alcohol, use it, or recover from its effects?
  • Having continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol?
  • Craving alcohol or having a strong urge to use it?

Start Your Sobriety Journey With Us

AUD Management: Why

Alcohol kills

I lost a cousin and I know many people who came short of being killed.  Don't be the next victim.

Get help today!

Alcohol Kills

More than 3 million people die every year

as a result to alcohol use disorder

Almost got killed

You can make indifference.

Choose to be sober

Choose lo live

Why Do We Want To Help You?

Our Story

Not every person turns to alcohol to relieve stress, grief, or despair, but some people do. And when we allow alcohol to be our coping mechanism tool, it also becomes our self-inflicted destructive weapon. 
It was the case for my 39-year-old cousin who, after losing her father (my uncle), found refuge in alcohol to run away from her grief. So, like many of you, she drank to cope.
Mitsie was surrounded by loving and capable family members who could have helped her, but unfortunately, their attitude allowed her to continue that self-destructive pattern of behavior. They wanted to protect her so much that they kept her drinking problem a secret from the extended family. Instead of encouraging Mitsie to seek help for her depression and grief, they advised her to be strong and use mind over matter. 
Well, “Willpower” did not work for Mitsie. She had a hard time dealing with her pain, and alcohol was her escape from that reality. Of course, the unresolved issues perpetuated the negative drinking behavior that transitioned into Alcohol Use Disorder. I lost my cousin to alcohol on April 8, 2022. Since then, I have committed myself to knowing more about AUD and helping as many “Mitsies” as I can so that they become sober and live a healthier life.
Today, Mitsie cannot tell her story, and her absence continues to be very painful because she was gone too early, and Naltrexone could have prevented it.
Make her story your turning point and choose to live.

Don't let alcohol kill you.

Take Control with our help

For a very affordable  fee, and convenient visits/follow-ups, we keep you sober and healthy..

Specialty Services

Become Sober

  • Are you tired of trying to be strong? Willpower is not always sustainable, so let us help you become sober again with no shame.
  • Moderate alcohol occasionally is an acceptable goal if you are not ready to quit completely. We can help you achieve that as well.

Pharmaceutical Approach to Drinking

The FDA has authorized three medications for AUD management: Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate; however, many medical providers found Gabapentin, Baclofen, and Topiramate to be helpful as well.  At DoctorLoune, we will prescribe Naltrexone or Acamprosate based on your assessment needs

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is an opiate blocker with anti-craving properties used to treat alcohol use disorder. It works by blocking the pleasure that people derive from opiates or from alcohol. As a result, the brain learns to expect less pleasure; over time, people use less alcohol or simply stop drinking. However, Naltrexone does not eliminate the intoxicating effects of alcohol.

Acamprosate

Acamprosate is FDA-approved for AUD treatment. Its exact mechanism of action is unknown, but it may restore the balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition via effects on GABA and glutamate. It is used to help people maintain sobriety once they stop drinking. Therefore, people cannot continue to use alcohol while on Acamprosate. Acamprosate can be taken indefinitely without any worries about chemical dependency.

Alcohol Use Disorder Management

What Is Alcohol Use Disorder, AUD?

AUD is an abnormal pattern of excessive alcohol use. It is an inability to control or stop drinking despite the negative consequences one may experience. It includes:

  • Binge drinking:consuming 4 or more drinks on an occasion for a woman or 5 or more drinks on an occasion for a man.
  • Heavy drinking: defined as 8 or more drinks per week for a woman or 15 or more drinks per week for a man.

Any alcohol use: if pregnant women or anyone younger than 21

Negative Impact of AUD

AUD is considered to be a chronic but preventable leading cause of death. According to the CDC (2022), each year, 

  • AUD causes 140,000 deaths, 
  • It is responsible for one death in every five deaths among adults ages 20-49
  • And costs the nation over $249 billion

 

Health Impact
  • AUD can lead to chronic diseases and other serious problems, including learning, memory, and mental health. Other chronic health conditions linked to excessive alcohol use include high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, cancer.

Do I Have AUD? Take the test below and find out.

https://letstalkfasdak.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/F.-AUDIT1-3-with-AUDIT-US-and-Scoring-Instructions.pdf

 

1) How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?

Never (0 points)

Less than Monthly (1 point)

Monthly                  (2 points)

Weekly                   (3 points)

2 to 3 times a week (4 points)

4 to 5 times a week (5 points)

Daily                        (6 points)

2) How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?

 

1       (0 points)

2        (1 point)

3        (2 points)

4        (3 points)

5-6    (4 points)

7-9    (5 points)

10 or more (6 points)

 

3) How often do you have 5 or more drinks on one occasion?

Never (0 points)

Less than Monthly (1 point)

Monthly                  (2 points)

Weekly                   (3 points)

2 to 3 times a week (4 points)

4 to 5 times a week (5 points)

Daily                        (6 points)

You have a positive screening if your total score is 7 or more for women and men over age 65,

or 8 or more for younger males 

Start Taking Charge Today, Anywhere, Anytime. & Change Your Relationship to  Alcohol with DoctorLoune 100% Online and secure.

The Sinclair Method (TSM) was developed by Dr. John David Sinclair, a pioneer of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), in the later 20th century. The method is a well-known approach to taking Naltrexone for AUD.

Dr. Sinclair discovered that a person does not need to quit alcohol completely in order to start Naltrexone. As such, people with AUD can start treating their addiction while still consuming alcohol. Such an approach allows for progressive resolution, and research showed that TSM has up to a 78 percent success rate in treating AUD.

The Pharmacological Extinction:

It is the process of using medication to end a behavior that has repeatedly been rewarded. Through such a process, people using TSM experienced less and less pleasure from alcohol use. 

Comparing Naltrexone and Acamprosate: 

Which Pharmacological Intervention Is Best for You?

Intervention Drug Name Naltrexone Acamprosate
Overview Naltrexone is an opiate blocker with anti-craving properties used to treat alcohol use disorder. It works by blocking the pleasure that people derive from opiates or from alcohol. Acamprosate is FDA-approved for AUD treatment. It is used to help people maintain sobriety once they stop drinking. Therefore, people cannot continue to use alcohol while on Acamprosate
Treatment Goals Change Habits Over Time Cravings Control Physical Addiction Treatment Abstinence Cravings Control Relapse Prevention
Preferred Groups Desire to cut back over time Desire for Moderation Family History of Alcoholism Desire to quit & abstain Already detoxed
Contraindications Severe Liver Disease Current Use of Opioids Pregnancy Desire to quit immediately Kidney disease Depression/ Suicidal Ideation history Desire to keep drinking

Naltrexone or Acamprosate