Yes, you can use medication and therapy for alcohol use disorder together. Many people do. Both can be part of one care plan.
Your goals shape whether medication fits. Your health history and personal wishes also play a role. A qualified prescriber can help you find the right fit.
Check our guide to medications for alcohol use disorder for deeper details.
We run a U.S. treatment directory. We do not provide treatment. This article offers general information, not medical advice.
Do Medication and Therapy for Alcohol Combine Well?
People can use medication and therapy for alcohol use disorder together. These are not two separate paths to choose from. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) says you can use either option alone or combine them.
What works best varies from person to person. Ask your prescriber about your options. You may include your therapist in the chat if you want. No single path fits everyone. Using both treatments is a topic to explore. It is not required, nor does it ensure success.
National data gives useful background. In 2024, 7.5% of U.S. adults with past-year alcohol use disorder got alcohol treatment.[1] These stats show how many people look for care. They do not predict what you need or your outcome.
7.5%
of U.S. adults with past-year alcohol use disorder received treatment in 2024[1]
Alone or together
NIAAA notes medication and behavioral treatment can be used separately or combined[2]
How Therapy Helps Alcohol Use Disorder: What It May Target
Medication and therapy do different jobs in treating alcohol use disorder. Neither one cures all issues. You can use them alone or together, but the best plan depends on the person and is not always needed.[2] Use this comparison to talk with your care team. Do not use it to start or pick treatment by yourself.
| Approach | Examples | Possible Focus | Discussion Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Therapy | Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy (MET) | Spotting triggers, building coping skills, shifting thoughts | Helps you handle stress and situations that lead to drinking[3] |
| Medication | FDA-approved prescriptions for alcohol use disorder | Lowering cravings, blocking alcohol effects, supporting abstinence | Targets biological factors; see managing medication side effects for details |
Therapy looks at the thinking and habits that drive drinking. CBT can help people spot triggers linked to alcohol use. It also builds coping skills.[3] Motivational enhancement therapy helps you get clear on your reasons for change. There are many other options too.
Research suggests these therapies may bring small gains in some areas. This covers changes in drinking habits and recovery.[4] Results depend on the person and the program. Your provider can help you find the right mix for your needs.
Meds for Alcohol Use Disorder: What Is Approved and What Is Not
A quick overview of medication for alcohol use disorder helps you ask the right questions. It makes talks with a prescriber easier. For more details, see our full guide on medications for alcohol use disorder. Our guide to medication and counseling for AUD explains how these treatments work together in a full recovery plan. If cost is a concern, our guide to insurance coverage for naltrexone helps you verify your prescription benefits.
What the FDA Has Approved
Every option works in its own way. Your prescriber will pick the one that fits your health best.
- Using opioid pain medicines or having current opioid dependence makes it unsafe. It can trigger withdrawal symptoms.[5] Our guide on safety with naltrexone and opioids explains this risk more.
- Acamprosate works for people who have quit drinking before treatment starts. It helps them stay abstinent.[6]
- Disulfiram causes a reaction if you drink alcohol while taking it. Talk to your prescriber about alcohol-containing products. Also ask how long to avoid alcohol after you stop the medication.
Your prescriber looks at the health of your liver and kidneys. They also look at other factors to ensure safety.
Treatments That Are Off-Label or Still Being Studied
The American Psychiatric Association guidelines mention topiramate and gabapentin. Doctors sometimes discuss these meds, even though they are not FDA-approved for alcohol use disorder. In select cases, they may be considered.[7]
FDA approval is different from using a drug off-label or in research. Always ask your prescriber about the status of a suggested treatment. Has the FDA approved it for alcohol use disorder? Is it used off-label? Or is it still under study? Clear answers let you make informed choices.
Talk About Goals and Check How You Are Doing
Your plan is not fixed. You can talk with your care team about goals, like cutting back on drinking or quitting it. As your life changes, you can look at the plan again to make sure it still fits.
VA and DoD guidance recommends watching alcohol use and treatment response to guide care.[8] Progress is not just one test. It is something you review over time. This shows your team what works and what to change. Our guide to monitoring alcohol medication progress covers how to track your response and discuss side effects with your team.
Discuss goals and fit
You and your care team agree on what success looks like for you right now.
Try the plan
You follow the agreed care plan. Note any questions, side effects, or concerns that come up.
Review progress
You check in with your team to look at drinking patterns, wellbeing, and whether the plan feels workable. Adjust it if needed.
ASAM criteria look at a person’s multidimensional needs. They may be reassessed as those needs change.[9] This means levels of care can shift. For more on where medication and therapy fit, read our guide to levels of alcohol treatment.
Getting Ready for Your Care Team Conversation
Putting your questions on paper can help you feel prepared. It makes the visit easier to handle.
Share with your therapist that you are weighing medication. Ask what they suggest you tell your prescriber.
Specialists say your care plan needs to be clear and built for you. The American Psychiatric Association suggests a written, person-centered treatment plan. It should list evidence-based nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatments.[10] You might use these options by themselves or together, based on your specific needs.[2] The American Society of Addiction Medicine says teams should do a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment. This helps guide your placement and treatment planning.[11] Your notes help make sure your goals show up in that plan.
Questions to Bring to a Medication Conversation
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
See our guide on asking your doctor about medication for extra tips on this talk.
Alcohol Withdrawal Differs From Long-Term AUD Treatment
Ongoing alcohol use disorder treatment is the focus of this guide. It does not cover managing withdrawal at home.
Medications for long-term recovery have a different job than those for withdrawal.
About eight hours after your last drink, withdrawal signs can show up. The timing and how bad it gets change from person to person.[13] Get medical help right away if you feel you are in withdrawal. A doctor can check on your safety and provide care. See medications for alcohol withdrawal for more on that stage.
Find a Safe Way Forward
Use this brief check to guide your next move. It does not give a diagnosis. It also cannot say if medication is right for you. If you are unsure about what a formal evaluation involves, our guide to alcohol use disorder criteria explains the process.
What Would Help You Take the Next Step?
This self-check is for information only and isn't a diagnosis. It cannot determine whether medication is right for someone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I take medication if I’m already in therapy?
Being in therapy does not rule out medication. You can talk about adding it while you keep seeing your therapist. A prescriber can review your health history and goals with you and discuss the medication’s potential benefits, risks, and side effects. Plan follow-up to assess your response and discuss any side effects. VA/DoD guidance recommends monitoring alcohol use and treatment response at periodic intervals.[8] With your permission, ask whether coordinating with your therapist would help.
What therapy is used for alcoholism?
Common options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Motivational enhancement therapy is another choice. The right pick depends on your goals and plan. Ask your therapist how the approach fits your needs.
What medication is used for the treatment of alcohol use disorder?
Naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are FDA-approved options. A prescriber can tell you which one fits you. Do not start or stop meds based on online info. APA guidance says to offer naltrexone or acamprosate to people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder.[10] This applies if you want to cut back or stop drinking and have no safety issues.[10]
What are three medications that have been approved to treat alcoholism?
The three FDA-approved drugs are naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. They work differently and have different safety rules. Talk to a prescriber about what fits your case. Naltrexone comes as a daily pill or a monthly shot.[14]
Can medication help if therapy alone has not been enough?
What treatments may help people with alcohol use disorder?
No single treatment works best for everyone. The right fit depends on your goals and life. It also depends on how you respond over time. A clinician can help you review your plan. They can check if you should mix approaches.
