Are there treatments to help with reducing alcohol?

Yes, there are treatment options that can help people who are struggling with their alcohol consumption. This article gives an overview of the types of treatments available and who can benefit – but your pharmacist can offer professional advice as well as a prescription treatment without the wait for a GP appointment if appropriate.

There are a few treatment options currently available in the UK to help people either stop or reduce their drinking. These include:

• Nalmefene (brand name Selincro®) and Naltrexone (sold under several brand names). These are both tablets that can help reduce alcohol cravings by blocking opioid receptors. They can help people looking to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink or people giving up completely

• Acamprosate (brand name Campral®). This is a treatment designed to help people who have given up alcohol completely from relapsing, alongside therapy. It is thought to stabilise chemical signalling in the brain that would otherwise be disrupted by alcohol withdrawal

Treatments are often meant to be part of a programme that includes therapy or professional support

Treatments are usually prescribed for people with alcohol dependence. This covers a broad spectrum, from those who are mildly dependent (for example, people who don’t drink much in general but can’t imagine socialising without a drink) to those who find alcohol is taking over their life in a big way (for example, affecting their relationships or work). The NHS estimates that in the UK around 9% of men and 3% of UK women show signs of alcohol dependence.

Signs of alcohol dependence may include:

• Worrying about where your next drink is coming from and planning events around alcohol

• Finding it hard to stop drinking once you start

• Feelings of anxiety or depression related to alcohol

• Drinking in the morning

• Suffering from physical withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating, shaking and nausea, which stop once you drink alcohol.

You can try a self-assessment tool such as this one from drinkaware.co.uk. If you would like professional advice on whether you may be alcohol dependent, why not speak to your pharmacist? As well as offering advice, they can prescribe treatment if they think it is appropriate for you.

What should I expect from my pharmacist and treatment?

Before providing a treatment, your pharmacist will ask you to complete an alcohol diary for two weeks. They will want to work with you to find out how alcohol affects your life and what options you have for finding a healthy way to gain control. If you do start taking treatment, it will be in the form of tablets. Your pharmacist will tell you how and when to take them, as well as help you monitor your progress.

Some people may feel nervous or embarrassed about seeking help with their drinking. There is no need to. Drinking too much alcohol is a common problem – in 2019, over a fifth of adults in the UK were drinking more than the recommended amount – and seeking help is a great step towards improving your health. Your pharmacist is a professional who has seen it all and is professionally trained to help.

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