Substance guides

Acamprosate (Campral) for alcohol: How it supports abstinence

Published July 18, 2025 · 7 min read · Updated April 2026

Reviewed for accuracy by licensed clinical professionals.

Acamprosate stabilizes brain chemistry disrupted by chronic alcohol use, reducing the physical and psychological discomfort of abstinence.

How it works

Chronic alcohol use disrupts the balance between excitatory (glutamate) and inhibitory (GABA) neurotransmission. Acamprosate helps restore this balance, reducing the restlessness, anxiety, and dysphoria that make early sobriety uncomfortable.

Who it helps

People who have already achieved abstinence and want support maintaining it. Those who find sobriety physically uncomfortable despite not having acute withdrawal. It does NOT reduce cravings the way naltrexone does; it reduces the discomfort of being sober.

Practical details

Dosing: 666mg (two 333mg tablets) three times daily. The pill burden is the main limitation. Must be taken consistently. Side effects are generally mild: diarrhea is most common. Does not interact with alcohol (unlike disulfiram). Safe in liver disease (unlike naltrexone and disulfiram).

Authoritative sources

This article references guidelines from: NIDA · SAMHSA · CDC

Frequently asked questions

Does acamprosate work?

Yes. It significantly improves abstinence rates compared to placebo, particularly in people who have already stopped drinking.

How is acamprosate different from naltrexone?

Naltrexone reduces cravings and drinking pleasure. Acamprosate reduces the discomfort of abstinence. They work through different mechanisms and can be combined.

Can I drink on acamprosate?

Acamprosate does not cause a reaction with alcohol, but it is designed to support abstinence. It is most effective when you are not drinking.

Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357.