A drug that cures alcoholism may be the next anti-anxiety medication

Whether this inherited intolerance of alcohol is the norm depends on which populations we're talking about. For example among people with European ancestry this genetic variation is uncommon. And indeed alcohol dependence is a huge issue in many parts of the world.

In my experience disulfiram is only useful with people who are motivated to quit drinking. Forcing alcoholics to take disulfiram is asking for catastrophe. (Courts used to impose this condition on people charged with driving while intoxicated.) I've known individuals who drank anyway and wound up in the Emergency Department. Fortunately none died but it can happen. Anyway it's an issue because having an anxiety disorder often leads to abusing alcohol.

But the article's real story is not only the potential antianxiety benefit of disulfiram, but the intriguing finding regarding novel mechanisms of action, and that is worthwhile exploring further whether the drug ever gets approved for this new use, or not.

Not at all contradicting your point. It just goes to show we have to take things in context, the context itself being subject to infinite variation.

I urge people to see an addiction specialist first. Do not see AA first. See a doctor asap. This disease is serious and has a high fatality rate. AA meetings are like a club after you have it under control (EG. don't attend drunk).

Disulfiram: An old military drug. This will stop you drinking but you need a significant other or parent involved. Each morning you must take the pill and your significant other needs watch to double check. Doctors are scared to prescribe this and the drug companies are ramping down it's production. Hoarding the drug is common.

naltrexone: This comes in two forms. The pill and the shot. When you first take this you should do the shot form. The shot lasts 30 days and there is not a possibility of skipping out on pills. Naltrexone will ruin the Euphoria feeling of alcohol and opioids (so it's a kind of two for one). No addiction specialists back the 'the Sinclair Method' but do back daily use of Naltrexone.

Rehab: Good short term, bad long term. Rehab failure rate is over %90. A normal rehab will run 10-30k per incident. Do not leave unless you had a Naltrexone shot. Longer stays will impact work, an unemployed Alcoholic is dangerous.

Alcoholics Anonymous: Very* difficult for people with social anxiety. People that succeed here find a sponsor which is like dating. You will be rejected literally by tens of potential sponsors until one says yes (hang in there!). AA has a very high success rate for extroverts who become a sponsor - caring over others going through alcoholism seems to rewire the brain.

Baker Acted/Marchman: If you have a family member (or a friend but you have family contacts) drinking to a point where they are unable to make decisions - you can file a Baker act. [Name varies wildly state to state]. A court can determine the individual needs intervention and can use state authorities to detain. Depending on your court appearance after 72 hours (don't be drunk lol) - the judge orders more jail time or programs.

>Individuals who experience the alcohol flushing reaction may be less prone to alcoholism. Disulfiram, a drug sometimes given as treatment for alcoholism, works by inhibiting acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, causing a five to tenfold increase in the concentration of acetaldehyde in the body. The resulting irritating flushing reaction tends to discourage affected individuals from drinking.[9][10]

I literally have a negative feedback loop from drinking alcohol, it makes me feel really bad, my skin flushes, I feel my heartbeat in my chest/neck/head, and I literally feel miserable.

Honestly, it kind of sucks, because when you can't drink you notice how much socialising is based around alcohol. I've found ways to cope with this and am on good terms with myself now but it really took me a long time. Especially to get around the social/peer pressure of having to drink.

On the bright side, I'll likely never become an alcoholic.