Campral Treatment: Signs, Symptoms, Withdrawal Risks & Treatment

Campral is the brand name for a prescription drug named acamprosate, which is commonly used to reduce alcohol cravings in those who suffer from alcohol abuse. Campral makes alcohol less desirable and less appealing for recovering addicts, which improves their chances of staying sober long-term.

Understanding Campral Treatment

Campral was approved by the FDA in 2004 for its use in treating alcohol addiction. The drug helps individuals overcome physical dependency on alcohol by rebalancing brain neurotransmitters that have been altered by alcohol abuse. Individuals who take Campral generally experience no alcohol cravings or urges to drink, which helps them stay sober and avoid relapse during and after addiction treatment.

Campral is usually taken orally up to three times per day for up to 12 months following the initial detoxification stage of addiction treatment. Campral treats post-acute withdrawal symptoms that begin surfacing for most recovering addicts at around the two-week mark after beginning treatment.

Campral addiction treatment is often combined with counseling, support, and other therapies that address the mental root causes of addiction. Campral is not to be viewed as a cure for alcohol addiction as a whole, but can be used as a tool in helping addicts stay sober and avoid relapsing for the rest of their lives.

Signs That Campral Treatment May Help

Campral treatment may be ideal for you if you’ve been struggling with staying sober after quitting drinking. If you’ve tried to stop drinking several times in the past, Campral helps reduce and eliminate your alcohol cravings so you can focus more on recovery, and on achieving a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle.

Campral treatment helps individuals who suffer from alcohol abuse or addiction. Common signs of alcohol abuse include:

• Memory loss or blackouts
• Slurred speech
• Loss of coordination
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Tremors
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Lightheadedness
• Euphoria
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Aggression
• Feelings of loneliness
• Feelings of guilt
• Compulsive behavior
• Self-destructive behavior
• Delirium
• Alcohol cravings

Dangers & Risk Factors Associated with Campral Treatment

Campral carries a very low risk for addiction, and may even relieve some discomfort associated with alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The benefits of using Campral to treat alcohol addiction far outweigh the cons of continuing to struggle with addiction. When used as prescribed, Campral is an effective alcohol addiction treatment.

Campral may cause one or more side effects in some users. Common side effects include:

• Diarrhea
• Bloating and gas
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness
• Dry mouth
• Itching skin
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach aches
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Depression

Diarrhea is one of the most common side effects of Campral treatment. Talk to your doctor at alcohol rehab about medications or other treatments that can help reduce diarrhea while taking Campral. For instance, your doctor may pair you with a nutritionist who can help you establish a healthy nutrition plan that naturally reduces or curbs diarrhea.

Campral is not recommended for pregnant women, those who suffer from severe kidney problems, and those who already suffer from depression or suicidal thoughts. All these health conditions can be worsened by Campral.

Adverse side effects caused by Campral are rare, but do occur in some individuals. Adverse side effects may include:

• Cardiomyopathy
• Inflammation of veins
• Blocked arteries
• Blood clots
• Heart failure
• Severe allergic reaction

Notify your physician immediately if you experience one or more of the following symptoms, which may indicate a severe allergic reaction to Campral:

• Itching skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sudden raised red spots on your body
• Difficulty breathing
• Confusion
• Extreme weakness
• Lightheadedness
• Swelling of the mouth, tongue, lips, or throat

Who Benefits From Campral Treatment?

Campral treatment is ideal for anyone who suffers from alcohol abuse or addiction and needs help staying sober. Campral helps reduce alcohol cravings, and is effective at helping recovering addicts stay sober from alcohol indefinitely.

You may benefit from Campral treatment if:

• You need alcohol to function and feel “normally” or like yourself
• You lie to others about your drinking
• You keep your drinking a secret
• You’ve relapsed after trying to quit drinking in the past
• You drink to cope with feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression
• You experience memory loss or blackouts when drinking
• You drink when you know it might result in negative consequences
• You experience cravings and withdrawal when quitting drinking

If you or your loved one has a drinking problem and might benefit from taking Campral, your next step is to seek help in the form of addiction treatment. Campral addiction treatment can help you quit drinking and learn how to achieve a healthier, happier, more fulfilling life with no room for addiction.

Treating Addiction Using Campral

Campral treats post-acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms — meaning the drug treats withdrawal symptoms that typically occur after completing the initial detox stage of treatment. Campral is typically recommended for recovering addicts who have already stopped drinking, since alcohol can compromise the drug’s effects.

Campral is typically available in the form of 333 mg tablets, and prescribed in 666 mg doses to most recovering alcohol addicts. The drug is taken orally three times per day for between three and 12 months or as recommended by your physician. Those who suffer mild to moderate kidney problems may only be prescribed 333 mg doses to lower the risk for potential health complications.

Do I Need Campral Addiction Treatment?

When you’re caught up in alcohol addiction, it can be difficult to determine whether you need addiction treatment until it’s too late. Addiction can cause problems with your career, finances, and health, and affect your overall well-being and quality of life.

If you think you might have a problem with addiction, ask yourself the following questions to determine if Campral treatment can help:

• Have I relapsed after trying to quit drinking in the past?
• Am I making excuses to drink alcohol?
• Am I neglecting important life responsibilities to use, obtain, or recover from alcohol?
• Am I using alcohol to escape feelings of stress, depression, or anxiety?
• Am I using alcohol to treat myself for any mental health conditions?
• Am I using alcohol with other substances?
• Have I been struggling with alcohol addiction for an extended period of time?
• Am I continuing to drink despite existing health problems?
• Do I regularly spend time with people who drink?
• Do I have a personal history of alcohol abuse or addiction?
• Does alcohol abuse or addiction run in my family?
• Am I having problems at work, school, or with my relationships?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may need help in the form of addiction treatment.

Campral Addiction Treatment Options

Campral can be used to treat alcohol addiction in either an inpatient or outpatient recovery setting. Campral is usually prescribed to patients following detox, which is the first stage of addiction treatment. Detox from alcohol usually takes between one and two weeks, depending on how long you’ve been drinking, the amount you usually drink, and on your unique individual health history.

Inpatient alcohol rehab may be ideal for you if you need a safe, stable environment away from other drinkers or negative influences who may interfere with your recovery. Inpatient alcohol rehab allows you to recover comfortably at the facility so you have 24/7 access to supportive and understanding medical staff. If you’ve been struggling with addiction for many years, inpatient rehab helps you establish a new daily routine that leaves no room for alcohol.

Outpatient alcohol rehab may work better for you if you’re also managing work, school, and family in addition to overcoming addiction. Outpatient alcohol rehab allows you to visit the clinic daily or several times per week for therapy, and return home to your family at night. Outpatient addiction treatment is most ideal for those who have a strong, supportive network of friends and family, and a safe home environment free of drugs and alcohol.

Detoxification

Detox helps you withdraw from alcohol, and helps you overcome physical dependency on the substance so you no longer experience withdrawal symptoms. Following detox, your doctor will start you on Campral to reduce and eliminate your alcohol cravings.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can begin as early as eight hours after quitting drinking, and usually peak at between 24 and 72 hours. Symptoms may last for up to several days or weeks, but gradually dissipate after time.

Common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Insomnia
• Hypertension
• Irregular heart rate
• Agitation
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Hallucinations
• Seizures

Most alcohol rehab centers prescribe medications during detox that help minimize or eliminate certain withdrawal symptoms. This type of detox, known as medical detox or medically assisted detox, can make your recovery more comfortable. For instance, you may be prescribed anti-anxiety medications to help treat anxiety, or sleep aids to help with insomnia.

Rehabilitation

Alcohol rehab centers offer all the therapies you need to successfully overcome addiction and achieve lasting sobriety — including Campral. Campral treatment is usually combined with counseling and other therapies that address psychological root causes of addiction, such as depression or emotional trauma. In most cases, you’ll start taking Campral immediately following detox, and continue taking the medication for up to several months following addiction treatment.

Counseling helps you identify behaviors and triggers that drive your addiction so you can learn tips and tricks for managing and avoiding these triggers after leaving rehab. If you also suffer from any co-occurring mental health disorders such as PTSD or depression, behavioral counseling teaches you ways to manage these conditions without turning to alcohol.

Aftercare programs are offered at most alcohol rehab centers to help you stay on track with sobriety for months and years following Campral addiction treatment. These programs consist of ongoing education, counseling, and support groups that teach you methods for avoiding relapse and rebuilding your life following addiction. For instance, 12-step support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous allow you to connect with like-minded recovering addicts who all share similar struggles.

Consult with your medical staff at rehab about other available therapies that can be combined with Campral addiction treatment. Our goal is to provide you with all the resources you need to get help and treatment for alcohol addiction.