Migraine Pill Helps Alcoholics Quit: Study

A migraine drug appears to help alcoholics quit drinking without needing detox treatment, researchers have found. In 14 weeks, 15% of participants using the drug Topomax had stopped drinking for seven weeks or more, while others reduced their drinking, according to the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. But side effects like tingling, itchiness and inability to concentrate caused 1 in 5 people to drop out of the study.

Topomax works on inhibiting dopamine, a "feel-good" neurotransmitter involved in addictions. A patient in a previous Topomax study reports being sober for two years—even after he stopped taking the drug. "It's been a miracle to me," he said. "It got the monkey off my back." (More alcohol abuse stories.)