Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment in West Ashley, Charleston

Alcohol Use Disorder Is a Medical Condition

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is not a willpower problem. It is a chronic, relapsing medical condition involving changes in brain chemistry that make it difficult to control drinking despite negative consequences. AUD exists on a spectrum from mild to severe, and effective treatment is available at every level. Charleston's hospitality culture — the social norms around drinking, the omnipresence of alcohol at events and restaurants, the pressure to participate — can make it especially difficult for residents to recognize when their relationship with alcohol has become a problem and to seek help.

At Hope Addiction Medicine in West Ashley, we provide evidence-based medication management for alcohol use disorder. Our approach is confidential, judgment-free, and grounded in the same clinical rigor we bring to all substance use treatment.

Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder

Naltrexone (Oral) — taken daily, naltrexone blocks the opioid receptors involved in the rewarding effects of alcohol. It reduces cravings and makes drinking less pleasurable, helping patients reduce their consumption or maintain abstinence. It is non-addictive and has a well-established safety profile.

Vivitrol (Injectable Naltrexone) — a monthly injection with the same mechanism as oral naltrexone but with the advantage of eliminating daily compliance concerns. Vivitrol is administered in our office and provides consistent medication levels for 30 days. It is especially valuable for patients who struggle with daily medication adherence.

Acamprosate (Campral) — this medication helps restore the brain chemical balance that chronic alcohol use disrupts. It reduces the anxiety, restlessness, and dysphoria that many patients experience during early sobriety (post-acute withdrawal syndrome) and helps patients maintain abstinence.

Our Approach

Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation including your drinking history, medical history, liver function labs, and an honest discussion of your goals. Some patients want complete abstinence. Others want to reduce their drinking to a safe level. We work with your goals — not against them — and select the medication most likely to help you achieve them.

Regular follow-up visits allow us to monitor your response, adjust medication if needed, and address any co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression that frequently accompany alcohol use disorder. We coordinate with therapists, AA or recovery groups (if you choose to participate), and your primary care provider to ensure your treatment is comprehensive.

DUI and Court-Ordered Treatment

We accept patients referred by drug court, DUI courts, probation, and pretrial services. We provide compliance documentation and communicate directly with your court officer or attorney as needed. Court-referred patients receive the same quality of care as self-referred patients — the referral source does not change our clinical approach. Patients from across the greater Charleston area — including James Island, Johns Island, North Charleston, and Summerville — choose our West Ashley office for expert, confidential alcohol use disorder treatment.