ram, also known as Antabuse. It is aninhibitor of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase which with a single drink causes a toxicreaction. This drug should not be administered until 24 hours after the individuals lastdrink. Several side affects could occur if one ingests alcohol while being treated withAntabuse. Physicians should caution patients of affects. According to Kaplan andSadock, this drug can increase psychotic symptoms in some patients with schizophreniain the absence of alcohol. The drug Naltrexone aids in decreasing ones craving foralcohol. The recommended dosage for this drug is one dose daily. Its primary goal is topromote abstinence by preventing relapses and decrease alcohol consumption inindividuals (Kaplan & Sadock, 1998). Anti-anxiety agents and antidepressants havebeen used as treatments for those symptoms associated with alcohol. However, there isrising attention to the use of psycho active drugs in order to control alcohol cravings(Kaplan & Sadock, 1998). Alcohol related disorders, such as, alcohol dependency can beaccompanied by a number of other disorders: mood disorder, anxiety disorder, sexualdysfunction and sleep disorder which are all alcohol induced. According to Kaplan andSadock, Lithium has shown to reduce mood cycles in manic-depression as well as anindividuals desire to consume alcohol. Research is still underway to confirm the linkbetween the two. The reduction of alcohol cravings is also being researched andvalidated with the use of serotonin specific re-uptake inhibitors or Tranzone (Desyrel)(Kaplan & Sadock, 1998).Precautions should be taken when working with an individual with alcoholdependency. The foremost important precaution, however, is to observe drinkingbehavior for relapses. Looking into the environment, whether it be at the individualswork or home should be considered while treating an alcohol dependent individual. Thisis important in order to catch the possibilities of relap...
