“An important step forward.”
I think a step forward and some self resposibilty, instead of a step into the liquor store would be more effective.
If this drug proves to be effective to any noticeable degree the benefits to this nation would be incalculable.
Put down the glass, step away from the bottle, you’re treated.
Cured? probably not but if you avoid the need for treatment it works out to the same result.
I wonder if this medicine ‘covers’ receptors in the brain to prevent the desire to consume alcohol, similar to how Methadone/Buprenorphine works for folks who are addicted to Opiates. Either way, I hope it works out.
That's compelling. You generally don't see those kinds of positive results in drug trials. Baclofen, which has been around forever as a muscle relaxant, modulates a GABA receptor in a similar way to benzos, and also, GHB (vulgarly called the date rape drug), but doesn't act directly upon the GHB receptor, which is good because that would imply a heightened risk for dependence or abuse, particularly in this population. That'd take it off the table.
The finding is Baclofen relaxes those in an acute withdrawal phase minimizing craving and tamping down anxiety levels in alcohol dependent users beyond the crisis. Lots of people habitually overindulge specifically to reduce sometimes severe anxiety as a form of self-medication and get into trouble when they can't control intake.
So, this approach makes sense if they've found it to be entirely without abuse potential. 80% success rate is actually phenomenal, but it's just one trial. Our own lovable FDA should be able to get this approved sometime before the turn of the century. That's your govt in action.