Antabuse (Disulfiram) Addiction Therapy, Treatment & Rehab Clinic

What is Antabuse (Disulfiram) Treatment and Rehabilitation?

Disulfiram is (as with Naltrexone) primarily used in the treatment of alcohol dependency. The reason for its use is that it creates hypersensitivity to the consumption of alcohol. The main world supplier of Disulfiram is Odyssey Pharmaceuticals who produce and market it under the trademarks 'Antabuse' and (in some nations) 'Antabus'.

The normal process of alcohol metabolism involves the oxidisation of ethanol into the oxidation product acetaldehyde. This process is catalysed by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase which also holds the coenzyme Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (found in all living cells). The acetaldehyde is once again oxidised (this time by the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase) to form nontoxic acetic acid. Via the citric acid sequence this is ultimately turned into harmless Carbon Dioxide and Dihydrogen Monoxide (also known as water).

Disulfiram impedes the active enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase and therefore prevents the liver from breaking-down the acetaldehyde into acetic acid. As a result of this, volumes of acetaldehyde present in patients using Disulfiram can be between 500% and 1,000% of that found in people consuming alcohol on its own. Since acetaldehyde is one of the main chemicals associated with the sensation of a hangover (defined as the overall experience of negative physical and psychological effects resulting from inordinate consumption of any intoxicant, most usually alcohol) the heightened presence of the chemical in the bloodstream cause severe symptoms of hangover which can persist for anything between thirty minutes and several hours. Said symptoms may comprise quickened heart-rate, dyspnoea (difficulty breathing), nausea, emesis (throwing up), migraine, temporarily impaired vision, disorientation, syncope (passing-out) and even cardiac or peripheral circulatory failure.

Disulfiram is an alternative to Naltrexone in the treatment of alcohol dependency. Whilst Naltrexone is more effective (via the 'Sinclair Method') if the patient does not immediate cease their normal drinking patterns, Disulfiram should only be used if the patient is intending to cease their consumption of alcohol. If they do not give up drinking, then the Disulfiram in conjunction with large quantities of alcohol will almost certainly lead to extremely grave and potentially life-threatening side-effects.

The body will never build a tolerance to Disulfiram and as a result the effects of mixing Disulfiram with alcohol become stronger the longer the period for which the drug is taken. Disulfiram can stay in a patients system for up to 14 days from the date it is first ingested / administered. Disulfiram does not always come in pill format; it can also be prescribed as an implant in cases where alcoholism is so severe that the patient is unlikely to continue oral consumption whilst unsupervised.

Other uses for Disulfiram

Cocaine addiction is another problem for which Disulfiram is being tested as a remedy. Consumption of Cocaine releases Dopamine (a Monoamine Neuromodulator), the break-down of which is prevented by Disulfiram. Since it cannot be broken-down the excess Dopamine remains in the system and leads to heightened levels of anxiousness, hypertension (increased blood pressure), physical and mental agitation and other disagreeable side-effects.

Disulfiram has also been reported to possess Protozoan infection fighting qualities (Protozoan infection is a parasitic disease caused by the unicellular eukaryote Protozoa).

Finally, Disulfiram has recently undergone preliminary trials for the treatment of both liver and lung cancer. Although testing continues, initial results appear promising.

What are the Effects of Antabuse (Disulfiram)?

The high concentration of acetaldehyde that occurs when someone drinks while taking antabuse can cause reactions that range widely from mild to severe, depending on how much antabuse and how much alcohol is consumed, none of which are pleasant.

If you drink while taking antabuse, you can experience these symptoms:

Flushing,
Nausea,
Copious Vomiting,
Sweating,
Thirst,
Throbbing in the Head and Neck,
Throbbing Headache,
Respiratory Difficulty,
Chest Pain,
Palpitations,
Dyspnea,
Hyperventilation,
Tachycardia,
Hypotension,
Syncope,
Marked Uneasiness,
Weakness,
Vertigo,
Blurred Vision,
Confusion.

Treating Antabus (Disulfiram) Addiction at The Causeway Retreat

As with all addictions, the first step is admitting that you have a problem. Only then can you start on the path to recovery. The Causeway Retreat provides a supportive environment to combat your condition and start controlling your symptoms.

We believe that treatment for antabuse addiction works best in a relaxed, therapeutic and above all discreet setting. Our private island means that you can escape from the pressures of the outside world and benefit from our leading psychiatric expertise.

For a confidential discussion about your options and to arrange a programme of antabuse addiction treatment, contact us now.