Using medication and therapy for alcohol use disorder together is possible. In fact, many people do exactly that. Both can sit inside one care plan.
If medication is a good match for you, it depends on your health history and your goals. Your preferences also matter. A qualified prescriber can talk with you to find the right fit. For a closer look at how these pieces fit together, see our guide to medication options for alcohol use disorder.
Our guide to medications for alcohol use disorder has more details.
We are a U.S. treatment directory, not a treatment provider. The information here is general. It is not medical advice.
Can Medication and Therapy for Alcohol Be Used Together?
Using medication and therapy for alcohol use disorder at the same time is possible. You do not have to pick just one. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) notes that people may use these options alone or as a pair.
This decision depends on you. Bring up the topic with your prescriber. You may also mention your therapist if you want. No one answer fits all people. Mixing treatments is one option to talk about. It is not a must, and it does not promise success.
Check the national data for wider context. In 2024, 7.5% of U.S. adults with past-year alcohol use disorder got alcohol treatment.[1] These figures track how many people look for help. They do not guess your results or what you need.
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]
What Therapy Can Do for Alcohol Use Disorder
Medication and therapy do different jobs when treating alcohol use disorder. Neither one fixes everything. People can use them alone or together, but the right fit changes from person to person and is not always needed.[2] Use this info to chat with your care team. Do not use it to pick or start care 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 digs into the habits and thoughts that lead to drinking. CBT can help you spot situations linked to drinking. It also helps you build coping skills.[3] Motivational enhancement therapy helps you get clear on why you want to change. These are just two of many options. For a closer look at one of those approaches, our guide to motivational interviewing alcohol explains how it fits into counseling. If CBT sounds like the right fit, our guide to cognitive behavioral therapy for alcohol use disorder covers how it works. If you want to manage urges and anxiety, our guide to DBT for alcohol addiction covers how that therapy works.
Research shows these therapies may bring small gains in some results. This covers changes in drinking and recovery.[4] Outcomes differ by person and program. Your provider can help you find the right blend for your needs.
Meds for Alcohol Use Disorder: FDA Picks and Others
Knowing the basics makes it simpler to talk with a prescriber about medication for alcohol use disorder. This section gives you a quick overview. This supports you in asking the correct questions. Check our complete guide on medications for alcohol use disorder for deeper details. For specifics on one option, our guide to disulfiram for alcohol use disorder covers managing its side effects. If you slip while taking these drugs, our guide to relapse on alcohol medication explains what to do next. For a closer look at one specific option, our guide to naltrexone for alcohol use disorder explains how it works. If cost is a concern, our guide to insurance coverage for naltrexone explains how to verify your prescription benefits. If you are deciding between forms, our guide to naltrexone injection vs oral helps you weigh the differences.
Options Approved by the FDA
Your prescriber picks the best fit for your health. Each option works in a different way.
- People with current opioid dependence or those using opioid pain medicines should not use it. It can trigger withdrawal symptoms.[5] Read our guide on safety with naltrexone and opioids for more on this risk.
- Acamprosate helps people keep abstinence going. This works for those who have already stopped drinking when treatment starts.[6]
- If you drink alcohol while taking Disulfiram, it causes a reaction. Ask your prescriber about alcohol-containing products. Also ask how long to avoid alcohol after the medication stops.
Your prescriber looks at how well your liver and kidneys work. They also look at other factors to ensure safety.
Treatments That Are Off-Label or Investigational
Doctors sometimes discuss medications that are not FDA-approved for alcohol use disorder. Topiramate and gabapentin appear in American Psychiatric Association guidelines. In select cases, these may be considered despite lacking official approval.[7]
FDA approval is different from using a drug off-label or testing it in studies. Ask your prescriber about the status of any suggested treatment. Is it approved for alcohol use disorder? Is it off-label? Or is it in a study? Knowing this helps you pick with care.
Review Goals and Share Updates
Your care plan can change over time. Talk to your care team about different goals, like cutting down on drinking or ending it. You can update the plan as your life changes to keep it a good fit. If you hit a wall, our guide to alcohol recovery setbacks offers practical ways to get back on track.
VA and DoD guidance recommends tracking alcohol use and how treatment is working.[8] This is not just a one-time check. It helps your team spot what works and what needs a tweak. Our guide to monitoring alcohol medication progress explains how to prepare for those follow-up visits and what to discuss.
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.
Your needs can change, so your level of care may shift too. ASAM criteria look at a person’s multidimensional needs and can be reassessed when those needs change.[9] To see where medication and therapy fit in the larger picture, check out our guide to levels of alcohol treatment.
Get Ready for Your Talk With the Care Team
Jotting down your questions helps you feel ready. It also makes the visit easier to manage.
Let your therapist know you are considering medication. Then ask what you should tell your prescriber.
Experts state that your care plan should be clear and tailored to you. The American Psychiatric Association advises a written, person-centered treatment plan. It should hold evidence-based nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatments.[10] You may use these options alone or together, depending 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 ensure your goals appear in that plan.
Questions to Bring to a Medication Conversation
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
Check our guide on asking your doctor about medication for more advice on this topic.
Withdrawing From Alcohol vs. Long-Term AUD Care
Managing withdrawal at home is not covered here. This guide focuses on ongoing alcohol use disorder treatment.
Long-term recovery drugs serve a different purpose than those used for withdrawal.
Signs of withdrawal can begin roughly eight hours after your final drink. How fast and how bad it gets varies.[13] Seek medical help right away if you suspect withdrawal. A doctor can assess your safety and give you care. Read about medications for alcohol withdrawal for more details on that phase. If you are pregnant, our guide to alcohol rehab while pregnant covers how to manage withdrawal safely during that time.
Pick a Safe Move
This quick check helps you choose what to do next. It is not a diagnosis. Also, it cannot say if medication fits you. If the idea of a formal diagnosis feels overwhelming, our guide to what to expect from an alcohol use evaluation walks through 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.
