My story: I was a binge drinker for 50 years. How did I stop drinking so easily? I skipped the counseling and anonymous platitudes. I went to my doctor. He gave me a choice of two remedies. The monthly injection of Vivitrol or the daily 50mg tablet of naltrexone. I took the tablets for 30 days to detox and almost immediately lost the cravings for beer. Losing the cravings was as easy as taking Motrin for muscle aches. Mark me safe from alcohol
3 months is must for dependence criteria [The features of dependence are usually evident over a period of at least 12 months but the diagnosis may be made if alcohol use is continuous (daily or almost daily) for at least 3 months] But for Alcohol dependence - current use episodic/continuous use needs additional criteria of one month along with the dependence criteria as mentioned above
