Campral is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that is used to help individuals with alcohol use disorder. Alcohol is a substance that cannot be cut out entirely in one swift motion.
This is because it may cause severe withdrawal effects, which include damage to key organs. To avoid this type of withdrawal reaction, alcohol abuse disorder patients should be slowly weaned off their addiction. Usually, they will be prescribed benzodiazepines to help.
Your doctor may prescribe Campral after you have successfully weaned from alcohol. Alcohol abuse affects every facet of a user’s life. Campral is a medication that can help you cut alcohol out of your life for good without causing serious health problems. Slowly but surely, you can be weaned off Campral and alcohol and lead a substance abuse-free life.
Read on to find out what Campral is, how it works and how it can help you or your loved ones begin the journey to recovery from alcohol abuse. There is a way to find sobriety and with the right help, you can find it.
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Campral is the brand name for acamprosate. This is a medication that stabilizes the brain during alcohol withdrawal. When someone with alcohol abuse disorder stops drinking alcohol, the brain will immediately go into withdrawal. Campral can interrupt that function and minimize withdrawal symptoms for the user. It does not work to relieve the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Instead, it acts to reduce cravings by restoring the balance of chemicals in the brain.
Before starting Campral, you will need to wean from alcohol completely. This should be done using benzodiazepine medication and under the supervision of a doctor or pharmacist. Once you or your loved one has safely quit alcohol, Campral can be used to help with the withdrawal effects on the brain. Normally, patients will need to take Campral three times a day with food.
You should not make any changes to your dosage of Campral without consulting your doctor or pharmacist first. There are some side effects of Campral that can be worse if the dosage is exceeded. To make sure Campral is right for you, check with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you through your battle with alcohol addiction by offering you the right medications for withdrawal.
Campral works by blocking some neurotransmitters and activating others. The medication aims to reduce cravings and stabilize chemicals in the brain that are disrupted by alcohol withdrawal. Campral will not reduce or minimize most withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from alcohol can be unpleasant at times, but overall, it is temporary and should not leave lasting effects.
Campral is not metabolized by the liver so it is safe for users with liver disease. A major side effect of alcohol abuse is liver damage. That means Campral is an effective medication for those who live and suffer with alcohol addiction. Campral helps users control their cravings and makes it easier for them to avoid relapsing. Craving alcohol is a strong urge that is very difficult to ignore.
Campral can make that easier for a recovering addict. Campral should not be used while a patient is still consuming alcohol. This can have possible side effects that could be life-threatening. To be safe, users must have completely detoxed from daily alcohol consumption so they can take Campral without an adverse reaction.
This medication can help treat alcoholism but works best when it is combined with an alcohol recovery therapy program offered by rehab centers like Windward Way Recovery.
There are some side effects to using Campral. There are a number of mild to moderate side effects that can affect those taking Campral. If you have just begun this medication, you can expect to feel some nausea, dizziness, fatigue, vomiting, gas, stomach pains, weight loss, muscle pain, loss of appetite and constipation. In addition, Campral may also reduce a patient’s sexual desire or performance ability.
Side effects should be mild to moderate and should slowly improve with time. If your side effects worsen, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately. In some rare cases, patients on Campral may also develop suicidal thoughts or depression. If this happens to you, you should consult with your doctor immediately to see if there is another medication that may be better for you.
Rarely, users may experience extreme side effects like black stools, vomit that resembles coffee grounds and even seizures. If you experience any of these severe symptoms, head to your local ER as soon as possible. Your dosage may be too high or the drug itself may not be the right choice for you. To prevent serious illness, seek medical attention immediately if you experience these severe reactions to Campral.
Alcohol can lead to a number of social and physical side effects. Many of these unpleasant side effects can be lifelong problems. Alcohol abuse can lead to health problems including liver damage, kidney damage, heart problems and other health conditions that can shorten your life. Alcohol abuse can also cause memory problems and learning problems.
It can also cause damage to the neurotransmitters in the brain. Too much damage can become irreversible and cause permanent memory and learning disabilities. Alcohol abuse can also be fatal. In addition to the physical effects, alcohol abuse can also have other negative effects.
It can damage relationships, make you unpleasant to be around, prevent you from keeping a stable job and make those around you lose trust in you. Alcohol abuse can also lead to drunk driving which puts yourself and others on the road at risk. You may lose your license or be arrested if caught driving under the influence. If you are a heavy drinker, you may be deemed unfit to care for your children and could lose custody of them.
The list of heavy drinking side effects is a long one. There are also effects on personal self-esteem. Drinking too much can cause you to act poorly, leaving you with feelings of self-loathing when you sober up. Depression and anxiety can also be worsened with heavy drinking.
Heavy drinking in front of young children can also poorly influence them to develop their own alcohol abuse problems in the future. If you are suffering from alcohol abuse, know there are medications and programs out there that can help. Campral and proper therapy can help you say goodbye to these side effects.
Alcohol addiction is easier for loved ones to spot than it is for users. Those who are abusing alcohol often do not realize they are incapacitated when they are drinking. Alcohol abuse has some very clear signs that are apparent to others and should be apparent to you. If you can relate to these items, you may be suffering from alcohol addiction:
Admitting you have a drinking problem is the first step on the road to recovery. It can be very challenging but there is life after recovery. If your drinking habits are affecting your interpersonal relationships or your ability to maintain a stable job, you need help in resolving your alcohol addiction problem.
Campral can help your brain control its craving for alcohol during withdrawal. But it cannot prevent or treat all other symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. If you have been heavily drinking alcohol for a long time, withdrawal may be quite uncomfortable. Here are some alcohol withdrawal symptoms you may experience when you try to quit drinking:
These symptoms are very common and very mild. They are not a cause for concern. In the first 12 to 48 hours, you may also experience seizures or hallucinations. In the first 48 to 72 hours, you may experience delirium or delusions. These more severe withdrawal symptoms are rarer and normally dissipate within a few days.
If your alcohol withdrawal symptoms are worsening or you are at risk of becoming dehydrated, seek immediate medical attention. For very heavy drinkers, withdrawal under the supervision of a physician or rehab clinic is highly recommended. Most of these symptoms will resolve within four to five days of being alcohol-free.
If you have experienced anxiety or depression during withdrawal, these mental health problems may linger for a while longer after your initial detox. A rehab therapy program can help you address those issues and slowly work to resolve them.
To be eligible for Campral, you must have stopped consuming alcohol already. This can be done with the help of benzodiazepines under the supervision of a doctor. If you would like to try taking Campral to help you manage the effects of withdrawal on your brain so you can maintain your sobriety, you will need to meet with your doctor. Campral can be a very effective medication for some people.
It helps to control your craving to drink more alcohol. It can help keep you on your path to sobriety while you seek the appropriate rehab treatment at the same time. Campral can only be prescribed by a qualified medical professional. You should not use someone else’s prescription for Campral. A doctor must evaluate your health before giving you the prescription.
Though Campral can be very effective, it isn’t right for everyone. If you suffer from other health problems, Campral may interact with other medications you need. To be safe, always visit your doctor and ask what is right for you. Your doctor can help you find the right treatment to help you stay sober.
Alcohol abuse is a dangerous disease. It can completely control your brain and make it very difficult for you to stop abusing it. The first step is asking for help from a rehab center like Windward Way Recovery. Call us today to find out what treatment programs we have to help you recover from alcohol addiction.
In combination with effective medications like Campral, you can recover from alcohol addiction. Once you can admit that you have a problem, you can seek help for it. You can then work to find the treatment program that works for you. You can choose from group therapy, individual therapy, art therapy, nature therapy or other options to help you.
You can recover from alcohol addiction with the right medications, the right support system and an open mind.
If you are considering recovery for yourself or for a loved one, the first step is making the call to Windward Way Recovery. You will have to detox from alcohol safely, under the supervision of a doctor to be able to take Campral. Taking Campral can be an added benefit to a healthy treatment rehabilitation program to maintain a sober life.
Alcohol addiction can take over your life, ruin relationships and leave you feeling upset, embarrassed and disappointed in yourself. But there is help out there and you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here and we can help. Your journey to recovery can start today.
