Overview
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects ~29 million U.S. adults, and only about 1 in 10 gets treatment. That gap is mostly stigma and the myth that willpower is the only tool. FDA-approved medications — naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram — cut heavy drinking days, extend abstinence, and are as evidence-based as any chronic-disease treatment. You do not have to identify as an alcoholic, hit rock bottom, or attend AA to qualify. Clindle evaluates AUD confidentially over a video visit and prescribes the right option the same day when appropriate.
Symptoms to watch for
- Drinking more or longer than you intended
- Failed attempts to cut down
- Cravings that intrude on the day
- Continued drinking despite consequences to work, relationships, or health
- Tolerance — needing more to feel the same effect
- Withdrawal symptoms (tremor, sweating, anxiety) when you stop
What else could this be?
- Anxiety or depression self-medicated with alcohol — treat concurrently
- PTSD driving alcohol use
- Bipolar disorder with substance use
- Cannabis or opioid co-use — different medications needed
How it's diagnosed
AUD is diagnosed clinically using DSM-5 criteria (2 of 11 symptoms in 12 months = mild; 4–5 = moderate; 6+ = severe). AUDIT-C is a quick 3-question screen. Clindle orders baseline labs — LFTs (ALT, AST, GGT), CBC (MCV), lipids, and A1c — to assess liver damage and coexisting conditions.
Treatment
Naltrexone 50 mg daily — first-line; blocks the reward of alcohol so cravings fade. Sinclair Method — take naltrexone one hour before drinking; gradual reduction rather than abstinence, ~78% long-term success. Vivitrol — monthly IM naltrexone injection, requires local referral. Acamprosate (Campral) — 666 mg three times daily; best for maintaining abstinence, safe in liver disease. Disulfiram (Antabuse) — causes flushing, nausea, and headache if you drink; requires strong motivation. We combine medication with counseling, SMART Recovery, or AA when patients want it.
When to book a visit
Book a confidential Clindle visit if you want to cut back or stop drinking. We prescribe naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram the same day when appropriate. If you're already having withdrawal symptoms, do not stop drinking on your own — call us or seek in-person care to arrange medical detox.
Book online todayFrequently asked
Is naltrexone the same as Suboxone or methadone?
No. Naltrexone is not an opioid and is not addictive. It's an opioid-receptor blocker, not a controlled substance, and does not cause a high or a withdrawal syndrome when you stop it.
What's the Sinclair Method?
You take naltrexone one hour before drinking (only on days you drink). Over weeks, the brain unlearns the reward of alcohol and drinking naturally decreases. Long-term studies show ~78% of adherent patients cut heavy drinking or become abstinent.
Can I get naltrexone online same-day?
Yes. Naltrexone is not a controlled substance. Clindle prescribes it after a video visit and baseline liver labs when appropriate.
Do I have to be abstinent to start?
No — naltrexone and acamprosate both work whether you're aiming for reduction or abstinence. Disulfiram requires abstinence.
Will Clindle manage alcohol withdrawal?
No. Acute withdrawal — tremors, seizures, DTs — is a medical emergency and needs in-person or inpatient care. We help you find a detox program and pick up medication management afterward.
Is treatment confidential?
Yes. HIPAA-protected, and we do not report to employers, insurers beyond billing, or law enforcement.