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Addiction RecoveryAddiction Recovery

Medicine is one part of recovery from alcohol or tobacco dependence, and it works alongside counselling and other support. Which medicine suits a person depends on the substance involved and on the recovery goal they are working towards, so this is a decision to reach with a prescriber.

Zyban

Bupropion

150mg

Intended to relieve nicotine withdrawal cravings to support long-term smoking cessation and target chemical neurotransmitter balance.

From$0.93/ tabletView

Varnitrip

Varenicline

0.5mg · 1mg

Utilised to manage nicotine addiction to alleviate physical cravings and support long-term smoking cessation.

From$2.42/ tabletView

Antabuse

Disulfiram

250mg · 500mg

Utilised to manage chronic alcohol dependence to support sobriety goals and mitigate relapse risks.

From$0.34/ tabletView

Revia

Naltrexone

50mg

Designed to support addiction recovery to manage drug cravings and alleviate relapse risks.

From$3.84/ tabletView

Naltrexone Tablets

Naltrexone

50mg

Formulated to alleviate alcohol and opioid cravings to support long-term abstinence and target neurological recovery.

From$6.72/ tabletView

Acamprol

Acamprosate

333mg

Indicated to address alcohol dependence to relieve withdrawal cravings and support long-term abstinence.

From$1.65/ tabletView

Nootropil

Piracetam

800mg · 1200mg

Utilised to manage neuromuscular coordination to alleviate muscle myoclonus and support cognitive tissue health.

From$1.36/ tabletView

Key points

  • NIAAA identifies naltrexone, acamprosate and disulfiram as medicines used to treat alcohol use disorder.
  • CDC lists varenicline and sustained-release bupropion among medicines used to help adults stop smoking.
  • Recovery support may combine medicines with counselling, behavioural treatment or mutual-support approaches.

Medicines for alcohol dependence

Antabuse contains disulfiram. Revia and Naltrexone Tablets contain naltrexone, which is also used in opioid dependence. Acamprol contains acamprosate. NIAAA covers all three in Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder, where the choice is made according to a person’s circumstances.

Medicines for stopping smoking

Zyban contains bupropion and Varnitrip contains varenicline. CDC lists both in Quit Smoking Medicines, normally alongside behavioural support rather than on their own.

Nootropil also appears in this group. It contains piracetam and is used for cognitive impairment and myoclonus rather than for dependence.

Further reading