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Medically reviewed by Health Care Professional Robert Gerchalk, April 2025

Medications That Can Be Used to Support Alcohol Detox

Numerous medications can help with the detox process. Learn more about your options here—then call us for help.
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Medications that May Help with Detox

Some medications may be used under medical supervision to manage symptoms of alcoholism, reduce alcohol cravings, or support recovery.

Disclaimer: Some medications (like Gabapentin, Seroquel, Hydroxyzine, Lorazepam, and Methadone) appear in both lists because they help with withdrawal but can be dangerous when combined with alcohol. They’re only safe after alcohol use has stopped, under medical supervision.

Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before starting any new medication, and take medications prescribed to you only as directed. Call us to connect with resources that can help you learn more or talk to your doctor.

Help reduce alcohol cravings or create negative reactions to alcohol.

  • Antabuse / Disulfiram – Causes unpleasant effects if alcohol is consumed.
  • Naltrexone – Reduces alcohol cravings and the rewarding effects of drinking.
  • Vivitrol – Long-acting injectable form of naltrexone.

Used during detox to manage withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, agitation, and seizures.

Primarily used for opioid use disorder but sometimes involved in co-occurring substance treatment.

  • Buprenorphine – Partial opioid agonist; used in Suboxone.
  • Suboxone – Buprenorphine + naloxone; used for opioid dependency.
  • Methadone – Full opioid agonist; rarely used in alcohol treatment, but may be involved in polydrug use cases.

May help with anxiety, mood stabilization, and withdrawal symptoms.

  • Gabapentin – May ease alcohol withdrawal and reduce cravings.

Used to manage withdrawal symptoms like elevated heart rate and blood pressure.

  • Clonidine – Reduces symptoms of autonomic hyperactivity (sweating, rapid heartbeat).

Used off-label to help with anxiety, sleep, or nausea during withdrawal.

  • Hydroxyzine – Non-addictive, may be used for anxiety and nausea.

Used off-label for agitation, insomnia, or mood symptoms during withdrawal.

  • Seroquel (Quetiapine) – Can help with mood and sleep, but may be sedating.
  • Trazodone – Often used for sleep disturbances during recovery.

Support brain and nerve health, often depleted by chronic alcohol use.

  • Thiamine (Vitamin B1) – Essential to prevent Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome in alcohol-dependent individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Many common drugs that do not require a prescription—like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, and antihistamines—can interact with alcohol, increasing the risk of liver damage, drowsiness, or stomach bleeding.

Call your doctor or pharmacist right away, especially if you feel dizzy, confused, extremely drowsy, or unwell. If it’s an emergency, call 911 or seek medical attention immediately.

Mixing alcohol and marijuana can increase the effects of both, leading to stronger impairment, dizziness, nausea, or panic. It can also make it harder to judge how intoxicated you are, increasing the risk of accidents or overdose-like symptoms (sometimes called “greening out”). It’s generally safer to avoid using them together.

Yes. Even natural products like St. John’s Wort, kava, valerian root, and CBD can interact with alcohol—often by increasing sedation, dizziness, or liver strain. Just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe to mix with alcohol. Always check with a healthcare provider.

Medications that May Help with Detox

Alcohol has the power to severely impact your life—but you also have the power to break free from your addiction. Call us today and connect with someone who can refer you to an appropriate treatment program near you.

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