Disulfiram for Alcohol Use Disorder
Disulfiram is one of the three FDA-approved treatment medications for alcohol addiction.1, 2 It was previously sold under the brand name Antabuse. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol misuse or addiction, you should understand your treatment options. Understanding how disulfiram works and how disulfiram for addiction treatment may be used during rehab can be important for achieving recovery.
What Is Disulfiram?
Disulfiram is a medication that may be prescribed for alcohol addiction. It helps motivated patients maintain abstinence.2 Doctors may prescribe it to people who have achieved an initial abstinence of at least 12 hours, are committed to maintaining their abstinence, agree to take the medication as directed, and have no contraindications to using it.3
Disulfiram causes a very unpleasant reaction when a person drinks alcohol. Knowing this may help them stay sober.1 It is taken once daily in tablet form.1 Disulfiram is typically employed as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for alcohol use disorder (AUD), which can include counseling and behavioral therapies, as well as other medications as necessary.1, 2
What Is Disulfiram Used For?
Disulfiram for alcohol use disorder may be used to help people who want to maintain their recovery and avoid alcohol use.2 People may wonder about specific disulfiram uses, such as disulfiram for alcohol withdrawal, but it is important to know that it is not a withdrawal medication.3 It usually works best for people who have already gone through detoxification.3
Disulfiram can be used to help people avoid alcohol use when they have maintained at least 12 hours of abstinence from alcohol.3 Disulfiram can cause toxic reactions with alcohol. Therefore, it’s important to avoid all alcohol and alcohol-containing products for up to 2 weeks while taking disulfiram. This includes: rubbing alcohol, aftershave, certain mouthwashes, perfumes, hand sanitizers, and some hair sprays.1
How Does Disulfiram Work?
Disulfiram works by causing a highly unpleasant and uncomfortable physiological reaction if a person drinks alcohol.1 Disulfiram blocks a step in the metabolism of alcohol, which results in a buildup of a toxic compound, causing various side effects that make a person feel very ill.1
If a person is committed to their recovery and they know that they will become sick if they mix disulfiram and alcohol, they may choose not to drink while taking disulfiram, which could help them sustain sobriety.3
Benefits of a Comprehensive Treatment Plan?
Disulfiram is most effective as an addiction treatment medication when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Medications like disulfiram address the neurobiological aspects of AUD, but a complete approach also includes counseling and other psychosocial therapies to address the psychological and social factors.
A comprehensive treatment plan includes several components:
- Counseling and Psychosocial Therapies: These therapies, which may involve a psychiatrist, psychologist, or professional counselor, help individuals develop coping mechanisms, address underlying issues that contribute to alcohol use, and build skills to maintain sobriety.
- Social Support: Participation in mutual-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other support programs provides a community and ongoing encouragement for recovery.
- Addressing Co-occurring Disorders: Many individuals with AUD also experience other mental health conditions. An integrated treatment approach addresses both the AUD and any co-occurring disorders to improve overall outcomes.
- Follow-up Care: Regular follow-up with healthcare providers is essential to monitor progress, adjust treatment as needed, and provide ongoing support.
By integrating medication with these other elements, individuals can achieve more sustainable and successful recovery from alcohol use disorder.
Side Effects of Disulfiram
The knowledge of potential disulfiram side effects may encourage people to avoid alcohol use.3 People who decide to drink too while taking disulfiram experience a reaction, known as the disulfiram-alcohol reaction, which can cause a range of symptoms:1, 3
- Drowsiness and fatigue.
- Headache.
- Skin inflammation.
- Metallic aftertaste.
- Numbness or tingling.
While serious side effects are possible, they are generally rare. It is essential to discuss any health concerns and your medical history with your doctor before starting disulfiram. They can provide personalized information about the potential risks and benefits, and whether this medication is right for you.3 Disulfiram treatment for alcoholism has been used for more than 60 years to help people stay sober. It is generally considered safe and effective when taken as directed.3
How Long Will I Be Prescribed Disulfiram?
There is no set timeline for how long one will be prescribed disulfiram for alcoholism.2 Disulfiram is typically used as long as it’s beneficial.2 It’s important to know that disulfiram starts working shortly after a person takes it and continues to work for up to 2 weeks after their last dose.1 This means that people the disulfiram-alcohol reaction can occur for up to 14 days.Therefore, it’s important to continue avoiding all alcohol during this time.3
When you are prescribed disulfiram during addiction treatment may vary as well, though it will usually be after a patient has been abstinent from alcohol for at least 12 hours. Some levels of addiction treatment may include:
- Detox refers to medically supervised withdrawal. During this process, a person receives assistance, such as medication, monitoring, and support, as their body detoxifies from alcohol and becomes medically stable.5
- Inpatient, or residential, rehab, where people live onsite at a treatment facility, receive various forms of care, and have the opportunity to fully focus on their recovery free of the distractions of daily life.5
- Outpatient rehab, where a person continues to live at home but attends treatment at a rehab on a predetermined schedule, where they receive various treatments and therapies to support their recovery.5 Outpatient rehab may involve various levels of intensity, such as highly supportive partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) or intensive outpatient programs (PHP), or less intensive standard outpatient services.5
Disulfiram for AUD in Orange County
If you or someone you care about are dealing with alcohol misuse or addiction, you should understand that there is always hope, and proper treatment can help people enter and maintain recovery.4 Laguna Treatment Hospital, an Orange County rehab, offers comprehensive care for AUD to support you throughout your recovery. We offer effective, evidence-based treatments, including medications, counseling, and behavioral therapies, as well as personalized treatment plans to suit each person’s unique needs.
If you’re struggling, we are here to help. Please call our free, confidential helpline at to speak to a knowledgeable admissions navigator any time of day or night. We can explain your rehab options, answer questions about the treatment process and paying for rehab, verify your insurance, and help you start the rehab admissions process.