Posted by helenag on January 12, 2004, at 18:43:09
In reply to Re:topamax and alcohol, posted by EmmyS on January 10, 2004, at 10:21:16
It was not my intention to say that topamax would not help some alcoholics, only that medications would not effect a cure for alcoholism.
I have read about the studies and know that the folks who took topamax drank less than those on the placebo. There is also a radio show that has a web site, The Infinite Mind, that had the researcher who performed the study on their show.
Alcoholism is a many-faceted thing. I guess it is important to realize that medication to decrease cravings is only, as you say, one more thing to add to the arsenal, not the arsenal itself.
It's because of my own experience with the drug that I say this. I could not rely on topamax to keep me sober, and it did not solve the problem of craving for me. This does not mean, however, that is doesn't do this for others. If there was a pill that would make me immune from the "charms" of alcohol, I'd be first in line for a dose. But I doubt there will ever be one because, as I strongly suspect, there are many levels to addiction besides physical.
Peace, Helen.
poster:helenag
thread:289516
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20031208/msgs/299965.html