First of all I think trying to help your friend using the resources you can bring to bear is noble, and regardless of how this ends up you're doing a good thing. Whether it's "ideal" or not is irrelevant. Addicts can only be helped when they seek it out, in ways they're willing to accept.
I'll just be blunt, and tell you what I'd do in this situation.
I know Robaxin btw. Used it for back pain, which I found very effective.
Anyway, from what I've read, it was thought useful for alcoholism at one time, but that's been almost certainly disproved at this point. Not a "maybe", more like a firm no.
The good news is that two drugs, both cheap and available from India pharma are proven effective with solid evidence. I don't know your friend's health condition, only that he has alcohol use disorder, so you need to check the precautions for both.
A 2023 meta-study looking at the results of over 20,000 alcoholics in treatment concluded:
"...these findings support the use of oral naltrexone, 50 mg/d, and acamprosate as first-line pharmacotherapies for alcohol use disorder."
Which pharmacotherapies are associated with improved outcomes for people with alcohol use disorder? In this systematic review and meta-analysis that included 118 clinical trials and 20 976 participants, 50 mg/d of oral naltrexone and acamprosate ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
But since I said I'd tell you what I'd do. which is pull out all the stops for my friend, I'd try getting him on Semaglutide. If he has a few pounds to lose, all the better.
I've written on MESO before about the very promising signals of GLPs as anti-addiction compounds. Every month more data comes out suggesting what many users and medical professionals have observed. A significant reduction in alcohol use among those on GLPs.
In small scale studies and reviews of patient data, it very much looks like alcohol consumption while on a GLP is reduced by around 65%. Personally I can't tolerate alcohol at all since starting GLPs years ago.
Numerous trials are ongoing, and based on what's been seen so far I have little doubt treatment for alcoholism will be an indication approved by the FDA within a year or two.
I follow a site called "Recursive Adaptation" that focuses on news about cutting edge addiction treatments, and GLPs have been center stage there for the last year.
Phase 3 clinical trials being completed would be great, but your friend needs an assist now. This could make a major difference to his ability to abstain.
The science, medicine, patient experiences, provider experiences, policy, and more.
recursiveadaptation.com
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GLP-1s are showing dramatic results in reducing addictive drive while providing holistic mental health benefits to patients.
recursiveadaptation.com
I'd explain the two pills are proven effective and used in nearly every current alcohol treatment program, and that GLPs appear to be almost as an effective at reducing alcohol cravings as food cravings.
Good luck brother.