AMA VICDOC_Spring 2026_09.09.2026 - Flipbook - Page 18
S P OT L I G H T
ON
alcohol use disorder
Have we been treating alcohol
use disorder wrong all along?
Several proven medications for alcohol use
disorder have been available on the PBS for
decades, yet in most cases, we’re still offering
only psychosocial support. Why aren’t we
prescribing medication more?
WE WANT TO LET OUR GP AND GASTROENTEROLOGY
COLLEAGUES KNOW THAT NALTREXONE IS THERE, AND
IT CAN MAKE AN ENORMOUS DIFFERENCE TO PEOPLE
WHO HAVE PROBLEMATIC ALCOHOL USE WITH A READILY
AVAIL ABLE, GOVERNMENT-APPROVED MEDICATION.
WE’RE JUST NOT MAKING ENOUGH USE OF IT.”
– Dr Paul MacCartney
Victoria’s Chief Addiction Medicine Advisor
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