Calcium for the treatment of alcohol-dependence

Using a clinical sample of placebo vs. acamprosate-treated abstinent alcohol-dependent patients, we measured calcium plasma concentrations. Before treatment, the same physiological calcium concentration of about 2.4 mmol/l were found in the placebo and acamprosate group. Additionally, blood was drawn after 1, 2 and 3 months of treatment. Although calcium levels are extremely tightly controlled by the kidneys and parathyroid hormone and are more or less constant in each individual. We found tendency (p < 0.1) of enhanced calcium plasma levels in acamprosate vs. placebo treated patients. When correlating the primary efficacy parameters of first drink (rho = 0.64; p < 0.01), severe relapse (rho = 0.43; p = 0.057) and cumulative abstinence (rho = 0.57; p < 0.01) with calcium plasma levels, we found significant correlations in the acamprosate group. We did not find any correlation in the placebo group. Furthermore deviation from the calcium plasma concentration in inpatient alcohol dependent patients during withdrawal seems to be associated with severity of alcohol dependence and craving. This study was supported by DFG