Treating alcohol dependence: Medication plus therapy leads to longer abstinence
Alcohol treatment that incorporates a stepped-care rationale, in which services are escalated, appears to increase the overall efficacy of the treatment regimen. However, in countries such as Germany and the U.S., medication and individual … Read more on EurekAlert (press release)

Epilepsy drug shows promise in treating alcohol dependence
There are just three medications used to treat alcohol dependence that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. One drug called disulfiram discourages drinking by making it quite unpleasant it blocks the metabolism of alcohol and causes … Read more on Fox News

Calcium a treatment for alcoholics
The drug has been used to treat alcohol addiction for 20 years and it was thought the active ingredient was sodium salt, which was understood to interfere with glutamate receptors in the brain. This apparently led to reduced alcohol craving. Calcium … Read more on The Age

Question by : What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking Carim 100 mg?
I am intrigued specifically what are the benefits and drawbacks of having Modafinil 200 mg? Many thanks much.

Best answer:

Answer by Colin
Carim is just another name for modafinil… the only difference in yours is 100mg is half the dose of the 200mg tablets.

In the United States, modafinil is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration only for the treatment of narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea and shift work sleep disorder. In some countries, it is also approved for idiopathic hypersomnia (all forms of excessive daytime sleepiness where causes can’t be established). The usual prescribed dosage for these disorders is 200 mg once a day (less commonly, 100 to 400 mg/day in one or two doses).

For conditions other than shift work sleep disorder, modafinil is normally taken in one dose in the morning or in two doses in the morning and at midday. It is generally not recommended to take modafinil after noon: modafinil is a relatively long-acting drug with a half-life of 15 hours, and taking it during the later part of the day carries a risk of sleep disturbances

Despite extensive research into the interaction of modafinil with a large number of neurotransmitter systems, a precise mechanism or set of mechanisms of action remains unclear. It seems that modafinil, like other stimulants, increases the release of monoamines, specifically the catecholamines norepinephrine and dopamine, from the synaptic terminals. However, modafinil also elevates hypothalamic histamine levels, leading some researchers to consider Modafinil a “wakefulness promoting agent” rather than a classic amphetamine-like stimulant. Despite modafinil’s histaminergic action, it still partially shares the actions of amphetamine-class stimulants due to its effects on norepinephrine and dopamine.

A National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) study highlighted “the need for heightened awareness for potential abuse of and dependence on modafinil in vulnerable populations” due to the drug’s effect on dopamine in the brain’s reward center. However, the synergistic actions of modafinil on both catecholaminergic and histaminergic pathways lowers abuse potential as compared to traditional stimulant drugs while maintaining the effectiveness of the drug as a wakefulness promoting agent. Studies have suggested that modafinil “has limited potential for large-scale abuse” and “does not possess an addictive potential in naive individuals.”

Modafinil was shown to be an effective treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),however in 2006 it was found by the FDA to be unfit for use by children for that purpose. It was rejected primarily due to one suspected case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Cephalon’s own label for Provigil now discourages its use by children for any purpose. Other potentially effective, but unapproved targets include the treatment of depression, bipolar depression,opiate & cocaine dependence,Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and disease-related fatigue, as well as fatigue that is the side effect of another medication.

In most countries, here is a paper sheet with this sort of information with the tablets. If not, you really should discuss what you need to know with the pharmacist. Although pharmacists are sometimes called chemists, they are rather different and have specific traning in the areas.

Give your answer to this question below!

Question by jlarsen4: I quit using drugs 10 years ago. Do I need relapse over and over again in order to be considered an addict?
I quit using drugs the first time I really tried which was over 10 years ago. I have several addict friends who question whether or not I am an addict. I don’t need that label and frankly can live without it, however, I work in substance abuse treatment and feel strongly that addicts can overcome active addiction without having to go through relapse after relapse. Your thoughts?

Best answer:

Answer by pacemaker
a addict continue taking drugs on a daily basis ..your higher power is the drug what is a drug counselor to you.. what is more important how much your drug use or… because I was a drug counselor I have lived with people who wanted to stay clean or stay out of jail you puzzle me because you have drug addict friends.. but you work in a treatment center

Add your own answer in the comments!

Epilepsy drug shows promise in treating alcohol dependence
There are just three medications used to treat alcohol dependence that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. One drug called disulfiram discourages drinking by making it quite unpleasant it blocks the metabolism of alcohol and causes … Read more on Fox News

Mayor Rob Ford's admitted alcohol and drug use shines spotlight on substance …
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's admitted alcohol and drug use have shone a glaring spotlight on addiction and substance abuse. But have Ford's troubles raised the kind of awareness that is beneficial or harmful to the public's understanding of the disease and … Read more on The Globe and Mail

Study: Drug Used To Treat Epilepsy Can Treat Alcoholism
(CBS Sacramento) – According to a new study by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute, a drug that is normally used to treat epilepsy and neuropathic pain can be used safely to treat alcoholism. “Gabapentin gives doctors a new option that is not … Read more on CBS Local

Epilepsy Drug Gabapentin Shows Promise In Treating Alcohol Dependence
There are just three medications used to treat alcohol dependence that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. One drug called disulfiram discourages drinking by making it quite unpleasant — it blocks the metabolism of alcohol and … Read more on Huffington Post

Elizabeth Vargas: ABC '20/20' newswoman in treatment for alcohol abuse
Elizabeth Vargas hasn't been on ABC's newsmagazine "20/20" for a while, and now we know why: The veteran newswoman is being treated for alcohol abuse, the network confirmed. The Daily News broke the story Wednesday that Vargas, 51, checked … Read more on Los Angeles Times

NIH-funded study finds that gabapentin may treat alcohol dependence
The generic anticonvulsant medication gabapentin shows promise as an effective treatment for alcohol dependence, based on the results of a 150-patient clinical trial of the medication. Conducted by scientists supported by the National Institute on … Read more on National Institutes of Health (press release)

Epilepsy Drug, Topiramate, Could Successfully Treat Cocaine Addiction
Topiramate is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication for epilepsy and migraines. Prof. Johnson has also been involved with research that utilized topiramate as a successful treatment for alcohol dependence. There are currently no … Read more on Medical Daily

Zogenix's long-acting drug to treat severe pain approved by FDA
(Reuters) – Zogenix Inc said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its drug for treating pain severe enough to require around-the-clock, long-term treatment, sending the specialty pharmaceutical company's shares up as much as 54 percent. Read more on MedCity News

Drug Rehab Bartlett Offers New Recovery Treatments
Opiate-based medications, such as Vicodin and OxyCodone, can be very effective when prescribed by a physician to treat chronic pain. However, long-term use can result in addiction and overdose. Many patients become addicted to these pills due to … Read more on PR Web (press release)

Social problems and drug and alcohol abuse common among people who …
Prior to admission with the opportunistic infection, the PHDA patients had more psychiatric co-morbidities than the late presenters (35 vs 13%, p = 0.009) and were also more likely to report problematic use of alcohol (24 vs 4%, p = 0.005), substance … Read more on aidsmap