Medication to Stop Drinking: Types, How They Work, and How to Get Them

If willpower alone hasn’t been enough to cut back on alcohol, you’re not failing—you’re human. Alcohol changes brain chemistry, and for many people, a little medical help makes the difference. The good news? There are medications that can help you stop drinking or simply drink less, and they’re more accessible than most people realize.

This article breaks down the main types of medication used for alcohol use, how each one works, their side effects, and how to actually get them—in plain language.

Note: This article is for general information only. Any medication for alcohol use requires a prescription and supervision from a healthcare provider. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.

Is There Really a Medication to Stop Drinking?

Yes. While there’s no single “anti-alcohol pill” that cures everything, several FDA-approved medications can meaningfully reduce cravings, make drinking unpleasant, or help you maintain sobriety. They fall into three broad categories:

1. Medications that reduce the reward of alcohol (so a drink feels less satisfying)
2. Medications that reduce cravings and withdrawal (so you want alcohol less)
3. Medications that make drinking physically unpleasant (a deterrent)

The right choice depends largely on your goal—whether you want to stop completely or simply drink less. Both are valid, and there’s an option for each.

Naltrexone: Taking the “Reward” Out of Drinking

Naltrexone is one of the most widely used medications for alcohol use disorder. It’s available as a daily pill or a monthly injection (often known by the brand name Vivitrol).

How it works

Alcohol triggers a release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, partly through the opioid system. Naltrexone is an opioid receptor blocker, which dampens the dopamine “buzz” you get from drinking. With that reward muted, a drink simply feels less rewarding—making it easier to stop at one, or to skip it altogether.

Research shows naltrexone reduces heavy drinking days and helps prevent a full-blown return to heavy drinking if you do slip. Some people use it with the “Sinclair Method,” taking it about an hour before drinking to gradually retrain the brain’s response to alcohol.

Side effects

Common side effects include nausea, headache, and dizziness, especially early on. It isn’t suitable for people who need opioid pain medication.

Acamprosate: Calming the Restless Brain

Acamprosate (brand name Campral) is best for people who have already stopped drinking and want to stay that way.

How it works

Years of heavy drinking throw the brain’s chemistry off balance. When you quit, the brain can stay in an over-excited, restless state for months—fueling cravings, anxiety, and irritability. Acamprosate helps rebalance the glutamate and GABA systems, calming that overactivity and easing the lingering urge to drink.

It doesn’t make alcohol unpleasant or block its effects—it simply makes long-term abstinence more comfortable. It’s usually taken three times a day for around six months.

Struggling with restlessness and mood swings after quitting? See our guide on irritability after quitting drinking.

Disulfiram: The Deterrent Approach

Disulfiram (brand name Antabuse) takes the opposite approach: instead of reducing cravings, it makes drinking physically miserable.

How it works

Your body breaks alcohol down into a toxic byproduct called acetaldehyde, then quickly clears it. Disulfiram blocks the enzyme that clears acetaldehyde, so even a small drink causes it to build up—triggering nausea, vomiting, flushing, a pounding heart, and shortness of breath within minutes.

The idea is simple: knowing you’ll feel terrible if you drink becomes a powerful reason not to. It works best for people who are highly motivated and want a firm guardrail. Because the reaction can be severe, it must always be used under medical supervision.

Nalmefene: The “Drink Less” Option

Not everyone wants—or is ready for—total abstinence. Nalmefene is designed specifically for reducing alcohol consumption rather than quitting cold turkey. It’s widely used in Europe and Japan and works similarly to naltrexone, blunting alcohol’s rewarding effects.

What’s distinctive is how it’s taken: not every day, but 1–2 hours before you expect to drink. Studies report that over six months, it cut heavy drinking days by several per month, with many users dropping to a low-risk level of intake.

For many people, “drink less” is a far more achievable starting point than “never again.” If that’s you, our guide on how to reduce alcohol consumption is a good next read.

How to Get These Medications—and What They Cost

All of these are prescription medications—none are available over the counter. You can ask about them through:

• Your primary care doctor or family physician
• A psychiatrist or addiction specialist
• An outpatient alcohol treatment program

You don’t need to identify as having a severe “addiction” to ask. Many providers now treat alcohol on a spectrum and will discuss options even if you just want to cut back. In most cases, these medications are covered by insurance, keeping out-of-pocket costs manageable.

Not sure whether your drinking warrants a conversation with a doctor? Start with our alcohol use self-assessment to get a clearer picture.

Pills Alone Aren’t a Magic Fix

Here’s the most important takeaway: no medication works in a vacuum. Every one of these drugs is most effective when paired with behavioral support, counseling, and—crucially—awareness of your own drinking patterns.

That’s where tracking comes in. The simple act of recording your drinking helps you:

• Spot when and why cravings hit (your drinking triggers)
• Build momentum by logging alcohol-free days
• See real progress, which keeps motivation high
• Give your doctor accurate information to guide treatment

The SoberNow app is built for exactly this. It tracks your alcohol-free days, visualizes the money you’ve saved and the health changes you’re experiencing, and offers in-the-moment support when cravings strike. Used alongside medical treatment, it’s the daily companion that keeps motivation and tracking on track—and a perfect first step if you simply want to understand your own drinking patterns.

The Bottom Line

You no longer have to rely on willpower alone:

• Naltrexone / nalmefene take the reward out of drinking
• Acamprosate calms the cravings that linger after you quit
• Disulfiram makes drinking unpleasant as a deterrent

Which one fits depends on your goals, health, and drinking patterns. If you’re curious, don’t carry it alone—talk to a doctor or addiction specialist. And pair any medication with daily tracking and habit-building support, and you’ll give yourself the best possible shot at a new relationship with alcohol.