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Article: Sobriety can include medication.
- Article from:
- Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, OH)
- Article date:
- June 15, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Akron Beacon Journal. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Katherine Spitz
The treatment plan used to be simple, if not easy: A recovering alcoholic was to follow the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and steer clear of any drugs that affect mental state.
Today, physicians and addiction researchers look at the alcoholic in a different way and consider the use of drugs that AA founders Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith never dreamed of.
At least half of the nation's 8 million alcoholics also suffer from a mental illness, which can be treated with anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs and other medications. And new drugs have come out that address the craving for alcohol itself.
Dr. ...