Alcohol Use Disorder

At least 29.5 million Americans are living with alcohol use disorder, a medical disease in which alcohol takes over your life. At Pacific View Recovery, patient-focused addiction medicine specialist Sandeep Mann, MD, understands how overwhelming quitting can be, so he’s here to guide the process and help you experience a better quality of life. Phone the Stockton, California, office or book your appointment online now.

What is alcohol use disorder?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) means drinking excessively and being unable to stop. People with AUD experience both physical and mental dependence on alcohol. AUD is the most common variety of substance use disorder (SUD). 

At Pacific View Recovery, Dr. Mann focuses on creating a safe space for people with AUD to get the help they need. 

How is alcohol use disorder diagnosed?

A diagnostic evaluation is the best way to assess your condition and determine what kind of help you need. Dr. Mann considers many areas when he evaluates you, looking for the problems alcohol has created in your life. These may include:

• Drinking larger quantities than intended 
• Drinking more often than intended
• Having a steadily increasing tolerance
• Failing at attempts to reduce or quit drinking
• Suffering alcohol-induced problems at work or home
• Experiencing negative legal effects of alcohol use (like a DWI charge)
• Experiencing severe physical symptoms when you don’t drink

An AUD diagnosis unlocks treatment options that are tailored specifically for people in your situation, so your diagnosis is actually a good thing. It gives you tools to get better, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with Vivitrol®.

How does Vivitrol work for alcohol use disorder?

Vivitrol is an injected medication with an active ingredient called naltrexone. The drug prevents the high effects of alcohol, and it’s also used in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). 

You can only start Vivitrol after you stop drinking, so Dr. Mann supervises your detox safely in the hospital first. Naltrexone binds to your body’s opioid receptors. It’s simply there to prevent euphoria, so the drug itself doesn’t have any physical effects. 

Vivitrol can help lower your desire to drink because alcohol no longer offers euphoric effects. Further, Vivitrol can help reduce the risk of a relapse.

Vivitrol works in combination with other proven methods, such as behavioral therapy, to help you stop drinking and minimize your chances of relapse.

Dr. Mann administers your injections once a month at Pacific View Recovery. He uses Vivitrol and other evidence-based methods to help you have the best possible experience during recovery. To learn more about Vivitrol treatment, call the Stockton office or click online booking.