Many persons who suffer from alcohol use disorder may be more prone to be in denial and therefore less ready for treatment. The brain may also be affected differently as a result of alcohol abuse. We know for examples that once a person's brain cells are damaged by alcohol, the brain can repair itself if the person becomes abstinent within six months of abstinence, however, cognitive function does not always return even when the brain scans appear normal. Not sure if the same is true in regard to other drug abuse. We also know that certain medications acamprosate work for alcohol but not in the treatment of other drugs while naltrexone (oral or injected-Vivitrol) work for alcohol and opioid treatment. We also know that there is a genetic risk for developing alcohol use disorder that may not be true for other drugs. The genetics of alcohol problems have been studied for over 20 years, and such studies have clearly shown that over 50% of the causes of alcohol dependence are related to the genetic tendency to develop the disease. Family, twin, and adoption studies implicate the hereditary nature of alcohol dependence. Newer findings are showing that neurotransmitter receptors in the brain (for GABA, serotonin, and other chemicals) are somehow involved in the vulnerability of people for the disease.
Andrew R. Klein
Project Director
RSAT TTA
Advocates for Human Potential, Inc.