Medication to stop drinking or cut back

Medication to stop drinking or cut back

Like other health conditions, alcohol use disorder can be treated with FDA-approved prescription medication. If you are interested in medication to stop drinking or cut back, your physician can prescribe disulfiram or naltrexone medication if they deem it safe and appropriate for you.

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Steps to treatment

Reach your goals for sobriety or moderation

  • Speak with a licensed physician

    All plans begin with a video appointment with a physician. Your physician will prescribe medication if safe and appropriate. Medication is always an optional part of our alcohol treatment program.

  • Manage your disulfiram or naltrexone prescription

    If disulfiram or naltrexone are a part of your alcohol treatment program, you’ll be able to manage your prescription via our pharmacy partner that ships disulfiram or naltrexone pills directly to your home.

  • Get ongoing medical care

    You’ll be able to chat with your physician at any time, and schedule additional appointments as needed. We're here for you throughout the alcohol recovery journey as you make progress in your treatment program.

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"Not everyone needs medication to successfully change their drinking habits, but research shows it can be a really effective tool, especially in combination with routine therapy."
Dr. James Besante, M.D.Clinician Advisor
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Your medication options

Naltrexone

For those looking to reduce alcohol consumption or stop drinking

Naltrexone is used in alcohol treatment for those looking to achieve abstinence or reduce their drinking. Naltrexone helps combat alcohol cravings while also blocking the rewarding aspects of drinking. This relationship between naltrexone and alcohol occurs because when naltrexone is present in the brain, alcohol cannot stimulate the release of dopamine.

Disulfiram

For those looking to stop drinking alcohol altogether

Disulfiram increases sensitivity to drinking alcohol and causes many effects of a hangover to be felt immediately following alcohol consumption by inhibiting the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. If you are looking to achieve alcohol abstinence, disulfiram may be an effective treatment option for you.  

Physician Reviews

What our members are saying

"Wow Naltrexone and Monument have cured my 7-year battle to end my daily 5:00pm bottle-of-wine habit. I’ve tried everything. Just a miracle. I want to cry tears of joy! So thankful for you Monument!"
– Golf58
"There was absolutely no judgment. He explained things to me. It was easy to share my medical history and addiction with him. I would highly recommend meeting with a Monument doctor."
– Candid_Sapphire_916
"My physician was very supportive, thorough, and non-judgmental. I appreciated her questions and her explanation of the medication we agreed to try."
– Beaming_Story_658
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Speak to your physician from the comfort of your home

The cost of medication is not included in your plan, but may be covered by your medical insurance. On average, 30 days of daily medication is under $40 per month without insurance, and is a fraction of the cost with insurance coverage.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, both medication options are FDA approved. Naltrexone is an FDA approved medication for those looking to reduce or stop drinking alcohol, and Disulfiram is an FDA approved medication for those looking to stop drinking alcohol.

While both medications can be prescribed to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD), naltrexone and disulfiram interact with alcohol differently. Treatment providers will make the choice to prescribe naltrexone or disulfiram based on a patient’s preferences, medical history, and treatment goals.

Monument Medical Advisor James Besante, MD shares more about your medication options for treating alcohol use disorder here. For more information on naltrexone vs. antabuse (disulfiram), please email Monument’s support team and review our resource articles to learn more.

Your treatment provider will send your prescription to your pharmacy of choice. As a default, we will send your prescription to Amazon Pharmacy, which delivers your medication right to your door. If you’d prefer to send your prescription to another pharmacy, you can do so by updating your preferences here.

From SAMHSA: “When used as a treatment for alcohol dependency, naltrexone blocks the euphoric effects and feelings of intoxication. This allows people with alcohol addiction to stop or reduce their drinking behaviors enough to remain motivated to stay in treatment and avoid relapses. Naltrexone is not addictive.” Evidence for the Efficacy of Naltrexone in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence (Alcoholism): “Naltrexone is not addictive and does not react aversively with alcohol.”

If you're experiencing increased levels of anxiety in the early days of sobriety or moderation, that is completely normal. Unhealthy drinking and alcohol misuse often co-occur with anxiety and can serve as a coping mechanism for anxious thoughts. So when you stop or reduce your alcohol consumption, it's common to feel more intense anxious feelings. Learning to manage negative emotions is one of the fundamental components of recovery, and you don't have to do it alone. If you’re navigating the alcohol recovery timeline, we encourage you to check out our therapist-moderated support groups and therapy options to help process those emotions. It’s also important to connect with a healthcare provider to discuss your risk for alcohol withdrawal symptoms due to possible alcohol dependency, and align on how to safely cut back.

Like any other physician-prescribed medication, it's possible you will experience side effects with naltrexone or disulfiram. All Monument treatment plans include personalized care from a physician well-versed in medications FDA-approved for alcohol abstinence or reduced alcohol consumption. They will work with you to understand any potential side effects and help you address them if they do occur. It's possible that side effects like nausea and drowsiness can be mitigated by adjusting when you take your medication, your dosage, and other controllable factors. Your treatment provider can talk you through your options, and you can also message them at any time with non-time sensitive questions. No waiting room or expensive alcohol rehab required.

Yes. Studies show that medication assisted treatment can be effective for those looking to reduce their alcohol consumption. Medications such as naltrexone for AUD are supported by randomized controlled trials, and are shown to reduce the risk of returning to any drinking as well as return to heavy drinking when part of a treatment program.

Monument's online alcohol treatment program includes multiple sources of support. Our medical experts recommend a combination of community, alcohol therapy, and medication to stop drinking or cut back.

Have questions about medication?

Get in touch with our support team to learn more about your AUD treatment options

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Important safety information

Naltrexone

Naltrexone has the capacity to cause hepatocellular injury (liver injury) when given in excessive doses. Naltrexone is contraindicated in acute hepatitis or liver failure, and its use in patients with active liver disease must be carefully considered in light of its hepatotoxic effects. In the treatment of alcohol dependence, common adverse reactions include difficulty sleeping, anxiety, nervousness, abdominal pain/cramps, nausea and/or vomiting, low energy, joint and muscle pain, headache, dizziness and somnolence. This is not a complete list of potential adverse events associated with naltrexone hydrochloride. Please see Full Prescribing Information for a complete list.

Disulfiram

The most common side effects of Disulfiram may include drowsiness, tiredness, headache, acne, and metallic-like taste in the mouth. Call your doctor if you have signs of serious side effects such as decreased sexual ability, vision changes, numbness of arms or legs, muscle weakness, mood changes, seizures, or confusion. Do not take Disulfiram if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. If you begin to have signs of an allergic reaction, then seek immediate medical attention. Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking this medication, as it may lead to adverse side effects. Talk to your doctor about the history of your medical conditions including if you have or have had diabetes, underactive thyroid, brain disorders, liver or kidney disease, personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs. Certain drug interactions may lead to serious adverse side effects. Let your doctor know about any other medications you are taking. This is not a complete list of potential adverse events associated with Disulfiram. Please see Full Prescribing Information for a complete list.*Monument Inc. provides administrative and business support services to independent medical and clinical practices and providers. Monument Inc. does not provide medical or clinical services and does not own medical or other clinical practices. All medical services are provided by Live Life Now Health Group, PA d/b/a Live Life Now Medical Group. All counseling and therapy services are provided by independent licensed practitioners including licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) and licensed mental health counselors (LMHC). Individuals should contact their physician or therapist with any questions about their treatment.