Naltrexone Found Effective To Curb Binge Drinking: Study Finds!

Alcohol can seriously affect the health of people. The United States is one of the leading countries with the most cases of alcoholism.

Yet, a recent study shows that there is hope. A one-time pill is effective in curbing binge drinking. It is none other than Naltrexone, the traditionally used pill for Alcohol Use Disorders. To know the intricate details of this study, dive into the news.

How does Naltrexone help To Stop Binge Drinking?

A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in December 2022, found that a medication known as Naltrexone can be effective in curbing binge drinking. It is a Food and Drug Administration(FDA) approved medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder ( AUD).

Naltrexone works by binding the endorphin receptors. So when you drink you won’t feel any sense of happiness. The drug has been approved for three decades to treat alcohol dependence.

Binge drinking is a condition that even causes the death of people. Soon after the Dry January celebrations winded down, alcoholism and binge drinking have risen again. Recent data show that alcohol-related deaths surpassed 1,40,000 a year in the United States. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found a 12% rise in binge drinking. What exactly is binge drinking?

Studies show that it can be calculated as binge drinking if there are five or more drinks in two hours for men and four or more drinks in two hours for women. The new study focused on a randomized controlled group which was double-blinded.

The data collected from 120 men revealed that half received naltrexone and half a placebo before drinking. After 12 weeks, the group that received the medication reported relatively less binge drinking than the placebo group.

According to experts, naltrexone can block endorphin release when you consume alcohol. It, therefore, results in reduced alcohol cravings. The data from CDC reveals that binge drinking is a prominent condition among people aged 35 or older.

It shows that one in 6 adults in the United States binge drinks. Experts point out that binge drinking can cause serious health effects on your body. According to CDC, some of the risks of binge drinking are:

Accidents and unintentional injuries
leads to violence such as suicide, sexual assault, homicide, etc
Results in chronic diseases such as stroke, liver disease, high blood pressure, etc
Issues with memory and learning
leads to sexually transmitted diseases
Results in unintended pregnancy, miscarriage, and stillbirth
leads to certain cancers such as the liver, colon, mouth, rectum, larynx, pharynx, and breast ( among women)

Naltrexone is usually taken daily in pill form. According to the study, the effects of the drug on the body even lasted for six months. Even after the patient has stopped drinking, the drug can help them to keep sobriety.

The news is a consolation in the context of rising binge drinking in the United States. The condition has many side effects and can seriously tamper with one’s health. So the recent study is a leading light into the darkened tunnel.

Also read: Valerie Bertinelli Is Giving Credits To Dry January For Her Weight Loss!