What is Campral and How Can It Help People Stop Drinking?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic condition characterized by the inability to control drinking, leading to significant impairment or distress. It affects millions of people around the world, impacting not just the individual but their family, friends and communities. Recognizing the signs of AUD is a first step towards recovery, but finding the right treatment is challenging.

Effective treatment options are crucial for anyone struggling with alcohol dependency.

While some might turn to counseling or support groups, others may also require medication to help manage cravings and minimize withdrawal symptoms, which is where Campral (acamprosate) comes into play. With FDA approval for treating alcohol dependence, Campral offers a unique approach by working to restore the brain’s chemical balance after prolonged alcohol use effects.

By helping with the maintenance of sobriety, Campral can be a vital part of a comprehensive recovery plan.

What is Campral?

Campral, known generically as Acamprosate, is a medicine specifically designed to help people who are struggling with alcohol use disorder. It first received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004 as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for those seeking to maintain sobriety following detoxification. Campral is especially beneficial for individuals who have already quit drinking and are looking for support to prevent relapse.

Chemically, Camprosate is a derivative of an amino acid called homotaurine. Its composition allows it to interact with neurotransmitter systems in the brain, specifically targeting the glutamatergic and GABAergic systems.

By targeting these neurotransmitters, acamprosate works by helping restore balance that’s often disrupted after prolonged alcohol use.

When you drink alcohol, it can cause neurotransmitter imbalances, primarily because it increases the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate while also decreasing GABA, the inhibitory neurotransmitter.

The imbalance contributes to the anxiety and cravings often experienced during alcohol withdrawal.

Campral works by modulating these neurochemical pathways, reducing glutamate’s excitatory effects and enhancing GABA’s calming effects. The impact is a more stable mental state, which can significantly lower the likelihood of relapse and support long-term sobriety.

The Role of Campral in Treating Alcohol Use Disorder

Campral plays a vital role in treating addiction in patients with alcohol use disorder, especially for individuals committed to maintaining sobriety. It’s specifically meant to be used in those who have already achieved abstinence from alcohol as an adjunct to a broader recovery strategy.

While Campral can help sustain recovery, it’s not a standalone treatment. Instead, it’s meant to be included in an in-depth recovery plan, including components like counseling, support groups and lifestyle changes.

A primary way Campral helps people in recovery is by reducing cravings they might experience and alleviating withdrawal symptoms.

It’s common to experience intense urges to drink during the early sobriety stages, which can lead to relapse.

Since Campral modulates neurotransmitter activity in the brain, it helps diminish cravings. It creates a sense of calm, allowing individuals to focus on recovery without being constantly overwhelmed by the desire to drink.

Additionally, Campral supports long-term abstinence by promoting stability in mood and mental health. As someone navigating the challenges of recovery, maintaining emotional balance is crucial. By restoring equilibrium to neurochemicals that were disrupted by alcohol use, Campral can lower anxiety and discomfort, creating an environment better suited for sustained sobriety.

Benefits of Using Campral for Alcohol Use Disorder

Using Campral as part of a treatment plan for alcohol use disorder offers significant benefits that can enhance the recovery journey.

• Improvement in overall sobriety rates: Campral is shown to improve rates of sustained sobriety among individuals recovering from alcohol dependence. By effectively reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, it helps individuals stay alcohol-free for longer periods. Studies indicate patients using Campral are more likely to achieve and then maintain sobriety.
• Reduction in relapse rates: One of the most compelling benefits of Campral is its ability to decrease the likelihood of relapse. Many people in recovery face intense cravings that can lead them to return to drinking, especially in high-stress situations or social gatherings. The neurochemical action helps mitigate the cravings, reducing the chance of relapse and allowing individuals to focus on recovery goals.
• Improving therapy and support group effectiveness: Campral is most effective when used alongside behavioral therapies and support groups. Since it alleviates withdrawal and cravings, individuals can engage more fully in counseling sessions and support networks. The combination of medication and therapeutic support creates a more comprehensive approach to recovery and enhances treatment programs’ overall effectiveness.
• Positive impact on mental health and well-being: Beyond the role of reducing cravings, Campral also has a positive effect on mental health. Many people recovering from alcohol addiction experience mood swings, depression or anxiety because of the physiological changes alcohol dependence causes. Campral stabilizes mood and can improve overall mental well-being.

Who Should Consider Campral?

Campral can be a valuable option for many people who want to overcome alcohol use disorder, but it’s not right for everyone and can have side effects.

It’s primarily recommended for people who have already achieved alcohol abstinence, typically after a period of detox. It’s especially beneficial for someone with a strong desire to maintain sobriety but who struggles with cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Ideal candidates include people who have previously tried to quit drinking without success or those participating in a comprehensive recovery program, including counseling and support groups.

A qualified addiction treatment professional or healthcare provider can determine if Campral is right based on individual circumstances.

They might consider the severity and duration of drinking patterns, history of alcohol use in general, and any past treatment attempts. Existing medical conditions also have to be taken into account.

Get Treatment for Alcohol Abuse Today

Campral plays a significant role in treating alcohol use disorder by restoring balance in the brain. However, seeking professional guidance is crucial as well since recovery is a multifaceted journey benefiting from a strong support system, including therapy and community resources.

If you or someone you know struggles with alcohol use, don’t hesitate to reach out to Mandala Healing Center. We can help you start your recovery path today.