A Prescription for Alcoholics - Medications for Alcoholism Paperback

Good book

God bless Linda Burlison! Finally, a thorough, comprehensive, well-researched book about evidence-based treatment for alcoholism, via the use of many different medications that have been extensively tested and proven to be successful in the treatment of this disease. Treatment for alcoholism in the U.S. has not appreciably changed since the late 30's, with most physicians and even addiction specialists still routinely and solely recommending the 12-step treatment (i.e. Alcoholics Anonymous) model, even though the success rate for such treatment approaches unfortunately remains extremely low. Burlison rightly makes the case that alcoholism is a brain disease, and as such, should be treated medically, via medications that have already been rigorously tested and scientifically proven to be effective. She discusses barriers to treatment, including the "alcoholism culture" that abounds in this country which shames and punishes victims of this illness into many times not receiving the treatment they need. Perhaps the most important part of the book is the comprehensive list of drugs that are currently available to treat alcoholism, along with those in the pipeline, and very specific information about each one. There is also an abundance of information about the disease of alcoholism itself, how to find a proper doctor to support treatment, and many resources to further one's understanding of how to go about getting the proper help for yourself or a loved one struggling with this disease. Bravo!

I wish this book had been available 10 years ago when I sought counselling for my problem drinking and was told that the optimal solution was AA and abstinence. I could tell immediately that AA wasn't for me. I was abstinent for about 7 years but eventually began drinking again because of intense craving. Since discovering Naltrexone I've developed the ability to control my drinking and to engage in it socially. It's fantastic. This book provides a WEALTH of information about MATs (Medically Assisted Treatments) currently approved and available, so if one medicine doesn't work for your - or you cannot tolerate its side effects - there are other options to explore. It also provides brief a synopsis of the different clinical studies that have been performed for each medicine. I found these to be very helpful for determining how to most effectively use Naltrexone. There's also fantastic advice about how to deal with a uncooperative medical care provider in order to obtain a prescription. Thank you Linda Burlison for the gift you've given to humanity!!

Ms. Burlison does a very effective job in delving into the problems with traditional treatment for alcoholism. More importantly, this is the most thorough and well researched book about medications for addiction treatment available. She not only discusses the FDA approved medications, she lists those that are prescribed off-label, cites the research to back up the information and gives an in depth look at what the medications do, how they are most effective, what the contraindications are, and much, much more.I recommend this book for anyone in recovery, but also for those who have been affected by alcoholism and ESPECIALLY for those who treat people with alcoholism.This book is long overdue and I am very grateful for the author's commitment.

Amazing book. As someone with a drinking problem- I found this long overdue! Enough with the equine therapy and AA mumbo-jumbo. Hopefully a book like this will help bring alcohol therapy into the 21st century. If you or a loved one having a drinking problem- read it!

Great book!! It a great book to explain medications!!I only wish more judges, lawyers, cops, teachers, would read this book.We would get more help for people with this disease .

As a recovered Alcoholic of 37 years, Alcoholics Anonymous is the only thing that has helped me. It is not a Cult. Cults take you for your money, AA is free, and it doesn’t have a leader like a Cult does. Only someone like me would know, an Alcoholic . I’ve never had Cancer so I couldn’t write a book about it. She is not an Alcoholic so should not be writing a book about it. It is far to serious and dangerous.

As a person in long term recovery I can totally relate to this book. Would recommend it to anyone in recovery or those who just want a great read.

I have read the book front to back. Linda came on a forum I was a member of that amongst other medical problems, has a section for people with alcohol problems who were trying to kick it or reduce it. She did get some stick, because the British don't take kindly to someone promoting their book.However, one of the other members who is a registered mental health nurse now running his own addiction clinic read the book and recommended it. So I purchased a copy, the paperback, I don't do reading on electronic devices, it is over 500 pages long. So think of it this way, that's about the cost of three pints down the pub and it will last you a lot longer.The central tenets of this book, are, the medications available, the pharmaceutical industry and why so many do not get marketed or prescribed by doctors, the stigma of being addicted to alcohol and why people who are clearly in need of medical help are rejected, why we have not moved on much in 50 years and the AA mentality of, there is nothing wrong with you medically, you are just lazy and should be treated as such and you need to hit rock bottom first, and helping people is 'enabling' them, is doing nothing to bring this disease into the 21st century.And it is a disease, people who become alcohol dependent (and I don't just mean winos in the park) have the brain adjusted by it. So that having alcohol becomes the normal chemical balance and when you are out of balance (i.e. sober) the brain starts sending messages that there is a problem and it needs a return to balance, which can only be done, by consuming more alcohol. People who are in this state are the very ones that need help, not being turned away for being a bad, lazy feckless human being.What other addiction gets treated this way? Do you think if a heroin addicts turned up at A&E or their GP, they would be turned away? Because that is exactly what happens to alcoholics and alcoholics come in all shapes and sizes. Many women have now become alcoholics, consuming a high level of wine at home, to cope. In fact I would say that more women are alcoholics than men these days and you can forget your traditional stereotypical archetypal alcoholic.My credentials for reviewing the book? Two years ago almost to the day, I was admitted to the local hospital with a massive stroke (bleed on the brain) and liver failure. Two years later, I'm in pretty good health, very active, look well and eat healthily. But it was a long hard process, and I didn't receive much help along the way, it was dogged determination and tenacity that got me there. But not everyone has the same determination or capability and drive, some people need help and that is what is lacking.If you got to A&E and say, help me, I want to be detoxed, I have a problem with alcohol, you will be turned away. If you go to your GP, he will turn you away, because the NHS and the GMC have told him to, benzos (detox) are not to be prescribed except under exceptional circumstances.You are told to go to one of the alcohol recovery centres. These are full of unqualified people with no experience who are meant to be counselling you and providing you with solutions. Their solutions are group therapy and drinks diaries. I went to my first one and said I'd started drinking again, they wanted me to attend for 2 - 3 months before they would consider a detox. I said, I'm very ill, I shouldn't be drinking, I take eight prescription medications a day, I am under the care of a liver specialist at the local hospital, please call him, he will explain. They would not budge.I am now going to another branch, where I got Campral (acamprosate), an anti-craving medication. After a meeting with a counsellor, then next week a health check and bloods with the nurse, followed by a meeting the next week with the prescribing doctor. Just as they were about to give me the prescription, they pulled out a breathalyser. I was sober, so it was not an issue for me, but I thought, what sort of people are you expecting to come to an alcohol addiction centre, people with an alcohol problem or teetotallers? When the heroin addicts come in each day for their methadone, they don't get blood tested for residue, no that privilege is only for people with alcohol dependency. Finally, the other week, after my counsellor made an odd comment, I said, do you know what medication I am on or know anything about it? No was the answer, this person is clueless, but I have to go through this circus, just to get a prescription that my GP should be dealing with.Buy the book, it will open you eyes and explain in far more depth than I have been able to in a few paragraphs, you won't regret spending the money, except maybe if you are an AA fan and don't believe in using medication to help.Who this book is for, people with alcohol dependency, families of people with alcohol dependency, people who work in the alcohol dependency industry and most of all, people who set the stupid rules and regulations that push people with a curable disease, away and back to drink by putting so many obstacles and hurdles in the way of people seeking help.Any questions/comments posted in response, I will come back and respond to. There are forums that can help and give advice, and I can recommend some, but not directly in the review section, in the comments section. If you are struggling, just remember there are those that have already taken the path and can help cut out some of the hard work for you.

Ottimo libro sia per il personale sanitario che per il pubblico generale; aggiornato e con materiali insoliti, come ad esempio il capitolo sui farmaci che potrebbero peggiorare l'alcolismo, e quello sui trattamenti ancora sperimentali.Scritto a tratti come un saggio, a tratti con la partecipazione di un romanzo o di una biografia.Rispecchia la situazione americana, che per molti aspetti è meno favorevole di quella italiana, per esempio in merito alla disponibilità di ambulatori specialistici gratuiti e di trattamenti farmacologici efficaci.