Acamprosate (known by the brand name Campral) is an FDA-approved medication for use in the treatment of alcoholism. It is one of the most used medications for alcohol addiction as part of a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) plan.While other medications work by either reducing the pleasurable impacts of alcohol or creating unpleasant side effects when you drink alcohol, acamprosate works by reducing the brain’s dependence on alcohol. This medication is meant to help prevent future drinking episodes, rather than curbing the physical symptoms of withdrawal. Specifically, acamprosate works on the brain’s glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) systems, restoring balance to these bra in chemicals to lower alcohol cravings.