The ‘underrated’ pill that could halt booze cravings ‘within days’

DO you find it hard to turn down a glass of wine on a Friday night, despite vowing time and time again to cut it out for good?

Well, there might be a little pill for that – and it’s free on the NHS.

Acamprosate is a medication that works a bit like Ozempic – but instead of silencing ‘food noise’, it quietens booze cravings by stabilising brain chemistry.

It’s mostly prescribed on the NHS for people who drink heavily alongside counselling – but moderate drinkers can get their hands on it too.

Unlike naltrexone – another “booze pill” – anyone taking acamprosate has to want to give up alcohol completely, Dr Omair Ahmed, a consultant psychiatrist, told Sun Health.

“This includes adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder whose clear goal is full abstinence, and who are willing to engage in counselling or support services alongside the medication,” Dr Omair, who works at Priory Hospital Woodbourne in Birmingham and in the NHS, explained.

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“It also includes people who have recently stopped drinking or completed detoxification and struggle with strong cravings or repeated relapses when trying to remain sober.”

Acamprosate works by balancing levels of a brain chemical called gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA), which is believed to play a key role in driving alcohol cravings.

Because of this, the drug is usually started at the beginning of alcohol withdrawal and can be taken for up to six months to help stop people from slipping back into drinking.

It’s most effective when combined with counselling, tackling cravings from both a biological and behavioural angle.

While acamprosate has been around for more than 30 years, experts say awareness of it and its ability to tackle problem drinking remains very low.

“Acamprosate tends to be underused for several reasons beyond simple low awareness,” Dr Omair said.

“Research shows many people who could benefit never get offered any medication at all, even though these drugs are effective.

“Many clinicians, especially in primary care, have limited training in addiction pharmacotherapy and are unsure how or when to prescribe medications like Acamprosate.”

Stigma can also be a major barrier.

“Some treatment programs still favour a “therapy only” model and are philosophically reluctant to use medications, while patients may worry that needing medication means their problem is “worse”’ he added.

On top of this, the drug itself can be a bit inconvenient to take, as it has to be taken three times a day, which can put people off.

This is unlike naltrexone, which can be taken just before someone might be tempted to drink.

Naltrexone works in an entirely different way, essentially, it stops alcohol from giving you that high or euphoric feeling. For this reason, users are encouraged to carry on drinking to feel the effects.

How quickly people feel the effects of acamprosate varies; with some experiencing reduced cravings “within weeks”, Dr Omair said.

“But, its main benefits on staying abstinent tend to show up over weeks to months of continuous use alongside support,” he said.

He added: “I have seen plenty of positive experiences among my own patients and they do very well on Acamprosate, especially when they are already abstinent and engaged in counselling.

“They experience a clear drop in cravings and are able to maintain sobriety for much longer.”

For Nicky Wake, the drug worked a treat.

The 54-year-old from Manchester would start the day with a bottle of wine until Acamprosate helped her kick the habit.

“Acamprosate saved my life,” she told Sun Health.