Campral is the trade name for a drug called acamprosate. It's used to help people who are trying to give up drinking. It doesn't have a direct effect on people in the acute stages of abstinence, but reduces the craving for alcohol when a person has been dependent on it (or 'addicted' to it).

It's not a magic cure and can't help an alcoholic give up their habit, but it may prevent them from drinking again once they've given up. There's little point using it on its own, and it's most likely to be effective when used in combination with counselling and other forms of support.

How it works

Acamprosate is a type of chemical called a synthetic GABA analogue. It's thought to restore the normal activity or levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that become overexcited by the withdrawal of alcohol and lead to craving. This hyperactivity can last a year, leaving the alcoholic prone to relapse.

It isn't considered to be a withdrawal treatment because it doesn't affect behavioural attitudes or conditioning to alcohol. Neither is it an antidepressant. Instead, acamprosate is used to keep people off alcohol once they've given it up.

Success rates

Trials in Europe have shown that 50 per cent of those using acamprosate abstained for three months (the period when alcoholics are most likely to regress), compared with 39 per cent of those taking a placebo.

The percentage of patients who took acamprosate and abstained from drinking fell to 35 per cent after six months, and 33 per cent after a year (compared with 23 per cent and 21 per cent with a placebo). These figures aren't dramatic, but they do seem to show some effect, suggesting the drug can help some people.

Some people shouldn't take acamprosate, including those with severe kidney or liver failure and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Side effects include stomach upsets, skin reactions and altered libido.

Structure and support

Anything that might help is worth trying as long as the expense (personal and financial) isn't too great. Get your husband to talk to his doctor about detox again, this time using acamprosate.

It's not a very expensive drug, but to make the most of the chance it should be taken as part of a carefully structured programme that includes full psychological and social support.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Trisha Macnair in October 2007