Disulfiram is a medication that does not directly affect the nervous system. Nevertheless, it influences the psyche of an addicted person, who begins to perceive an activity previously associated with pleasure and relaxation as a source of unpleasant symptoms. What’s more, consuming even a small amount of alcohol by a patient with an alcohol implant can lead to a significant deterioration in health. So how does it affect their daily life and well-being?
How Does the Alcohol Implant Work?
Before we discuss how an alcohol implant affects the daily life of a person struggling with addiction, let’s take a moment to explain how it works. To fully understand this mechanism, it’s helpful to first understand how alcohol is metabolized. In a normal physiological process, alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde – a highly toxic substance. Acetaldehyde is then broken down into acetic acid, and later into carbon dioxide and water, which are eliminated from the body. Disulfiram, however, disrupts this process, causing toxic substances to accumulate in the body, triggering a severe reaction even after minimal alcohol intake.
Why Should Disulfiram Treatment Be Combined with Psychotherapy?
The alcohol implant is a form of aversion therapy. A patient who chooses this method develops negative associations with alcohol consumption, coupled with a strong fear of the resulting consequences. However, to maintain abstinence even after Disulfiram stops working, psychotherapy is highly recommended. You can learn more about why this is important in the article named “Disulfiram and alcoholism therapy – does the implant require specialist support?”, which explores the role of psychotherapy in addiction treatment in more detail. Psychological support is also essential for the patient’s emotional well-being. It helps them to:
- Gain motivation to fight the addiction,
- Understand the root causes of the dependency,
- Develop healthy coping mechanisms,
- Change harmful thinking patterns.
Therapist support is also crucial during moments of crisis, which are an inevitable part of recovery from addiction.
Does Disulfiram Affect Mental Well-being?
In theory, the implantation of Disulfiram does not impact the mental well-being of the addicted person. They can return to their daily responsibilities without issues. The patient also doesn’t need to follow strict dietary restrictions or adjust their existing medications. You can learn more about the procedure and undergo safe treatment at Professional alcohol addiction treatment Dublin, a trusted clinic offering Disulfiram implants and comprehensive support for individuals struggling with alcohol dependency.
However, such a significant lifestyle change can still affect one’s emotional state. The awareness that alcohol must be completely removed from everyday life may trigger feelings of fear and anxiety—especially for those who used drinking as a coping mechanism for stress or sadness. Learning to manage difficult emotions without turning to alcohol can be challenging and may lead to frustration or even anger during the adjustment period.
Is Disulfiram a Safe Treatment Option?
Disulfiram is generally considered a safe and effective method for supporting alcohol addiction treatment — as long as the patient strictly follows medical recommendations and completely abstains from alcohol. If alcohol is consumed while the implant is active, it can lead to serious reactions such as shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, hot flashes, and a strong sense of anxiety or panic. In some cases, these symptoms may be severe and require medical attention. That’s why full abstinence is essential for both the safety and success of the therapy.
How Does the Alcohol Implant Change the Addicted Person’s Daily Life?
After the Disulfiram implant is inserted, the daily life of a person struggling with addiction often changes drastically. These changes frequently affect the individual’s social life specially when alcohol had previously been consumed socially. The patient now must avoid certain places and situations, and often step back from specific groups of friends. This can result in feelings of social isolation, loneliness, and longing for former companions. In the early stages of recovery, the individual also faces high levels of stress, along with the responsibility of following new lifestyle rules. All of this shapes the patient’s everyday reality. Over time, however, many begin to notice significant improvements in:
- quality of life,
- physical health,
- mood and mental well-being,
- self-esteem.
These positive changes serve as strong motivation to remain abstinent and allow the individual to gradually regain control over their life.
