Pharmacotherapy for Alcohol Use Disorder: Enhancing Health and Treatment Outcomes

Introduction and Objective: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) combines alcohol abuse and dependence into a single condition characterized by an inability to control alcohol consumption despite its negative consequences. Treatment for AUD includes both pharmacological and behavioral therapies aimed at achieving complete abstinence. This paper reviews pharmacological treatment options and their clinical effectiveness. Given the increasing prevalence of AUD globally, including in Poland, understanding the availability, efficacy, and cost of these treatments is essential to improve patient outcomes. Review methods: This review analyzes current literature on pharmacological treatments for AUD, including medications approved by FDA and EMA. Sources include peer-reviewed articles and clinical trials. Results: Naltrexone and nalmefene have been shown to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption and cravings, while acamprosate and topiramate are particularly effective in relapse prevention and maintaining abstinence. Gabapentin is effective in treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms, while baclofen, mifepristone, and N-acetylcysteine show promising results but require further research. Ondansetron has been documented as effective in treating young patients with early-onset AUD, and varenicline effectively reduces alcohol cravings in individuals with nicotine dependence. The disulfiram implant is ineffective in treating alcohol dependence and maintaining abstinence, with its action primarily based on the fear of a disulfiram reaction. Conclusions: Pharmacological treatments for AUD, combined with behavioral therapy, help reduce alcohol consumption or maintain abstinence. Individualized therapy selection is crucial, taking into account the patient's health status and the presence of other conditions. Further research is required to optimize treatment, both in terms of pharmacological mechanisms and better tailoring the therapy to the specific needs of individual patients.