Alcohol Implant Krakow – Original Esperal Krakow

Alcohol implant is an implant containing Disulfiram – a substance that blocks the enzyme breaking down alcohol in the body. After implantation procedure, any attempt to drink alcohol ends with immediate, very unpleasant symptoms: severe nausea, vomiting, headache and palpitations.

This is not a medication curing addiction – it's a pharmacological blockade that for 8-12 months makes safe drinking impossible. For a person fighting alcoholism, this means time without constant struggle with temptation – the decision about abstinence is made once, during the procedure.

Disulfiram blocks the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which is responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde – toxic product of alcohol metabolism. Under normal conditions, acetaldehyde is quickly converted into harmless acetic acid and removed from the body.

After alcohol consumption by a person with Esperal implant, acetaldehyde accumulates in blood, inducing disulfiram reaction:

• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Throbbing headache
• Facial flushing (flush reaction)
• Accelerated heartbeat and shortness of breath
• Blood pressure drops

Symptom intensity depends on the amount of alcohol consumed. Reaction appears within minutes of consumption and can last from 30 minutes to several hours.

Implant has no action when you don't drink. It doesn't affect well-being, concentration or ability to drive. It acts exclusively upon body contact with alcohol.

On the internet you may encounter offers of «anti-alcohol injection» or «anti-alcohol inoculation». It's worth knowing that in Poland there is no registered anti-alcohol injection – no preparation in injection form with aversive action has been authorized for circulation by the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products.

Only registered implantation method in Poland

The legal and proven method of pharmacological alcohol blockade is Disulfiram WZF – preparation for implantation under skin, available at Nasz Gabinet Krakow. This is the only preparation registered in Poland for implantation with aversive action against alcohol.

Alternative forms of alcoholism pharmacotherapy

Besides implant there are other legal pharmacological methods supporting abstinence:

• Disulfiram in tablets (Anticol) – daily oral dose, requires consistency
• Naltrexone – reduces drinking pleasure, decreases alcohol craving
• Acamprosate (Campral) – stabilizes neurotransmitter balance, alleviates withdrawal symptoms
• Nalmefene (Selincro) – used as needed before risk situations

All these medications are available by prescription as part of alcoholism treatment at Nasz Gabinet Krakow.

Esperal implantation procedure in Krakow is directed to individuals consciously deciding to fight alcohol addiction. This is not coercion, but a tool supporting motivation and protecting against impulsive reaching for alcohol.

Implant is particularly helpful for:

• Individuals after detoxification who want to secure the first sobriety period
• Patients with impulse control problem towards alcohol
• Individuals who repeatedly tried to maintain abstinence without pharmacological support
• Patients ready for comprehensive treatment combining implant with psychotherapy

Procedure condition is minimum 24-hour abstinence and lack of health contraindications.

Before procedure every patient undergoes medical qualification. Doctor assesses health condition and excludes conditions where disulfiram reaction could be life-threatening.

Absolute contraindications to Esperal implantation

• Hypersensitivity to disulfiram or implant components
• Severe heart diseases – failure, coronary disease, past infarction
• Severe liver or kidney failure
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding period
• Acute psychoses and psychotic disorders
• Simultaneous metronidazole use (neurotoxic reaction risk)

Relative contraindications – require consultation

Conditions that don't exclude procedure but require individual risk assessment:

• Diabetes – disulfiram reaction may cause glucose fluctuations
• Epilepsy – disulfiram lowers seizure threshold
• Arterial hypertension – pressure monitoring necessary
• Hypothyroidism – requires thyroid function control

Requirements before procedure:

• Alcohol abstinence minimum 24 hours (recommended 48h)
• Identity document
• List of medications taken and information about chronic diseases

You don't need to:

• Fast – you can eat normally before procedure
• Have doctor referral
• Organize transport – you'll return home independently

If you have difficulties maintaining abstinence, consider package combining alcohol detox with implant – we'll perform both procedures same day at our clinic at Siewna 4/5 street.

We perform procedure in sterile procedure room at Siewna 4/5 street in Krakow. Entire procedure takes about 30-45 minutes and doesn't require hospitalization.

Procedure stages:

1. Medical consultation and procedure qualification
2. Signing informed consent for procedure
3. Procedure site disinfection (gluteal area)
4. Local anesthesia – you only feel prick
5. Skin incision (about 1 cm)
6. Disulfiram tablets implantation under muscle fascia
7. Wound suturing (dissolvable or non-dissolvable stitches depending on package)
8. Dressing application and 15-20 minutes observation

After procedure patient receives recommendations and can return home independently.

Some patients ask about possibility of performing alcohol implant with home visit. Theoretically it's possible, however we strongly advise against such solution – and at Nasz Gabinet Krakow we don't offer this service.

Why does implant require clinic conditions?

Esperal implantation is surgical procedure including:

• Skin and subcutaneous tissue incision
• Reaching muscle and fascia incision
• Sterile preparation implantation requiring sterile environment
• Wound suturing and dressing application

Disulfiram WZF preparation itself is sterile and properly packaged to contain no bacteria. Performing procedure in home conditions – naturally non-sterile – significantly increases infection risk and postoperative complications.

Alternative: detox with home visit + implant at clinic

If health condition prevents coming to clinic, we offer alcohol detox with home visit in Krakow and surrounding areas. After stabilization patient can safely come for Esperal implantation procedure to our clinic at Siewna 4/5 street.

Proper wound care minimizes complication risk and accelerates healing.

During first days after procedure:

• Avoid intensive physical exertion (2-3 days)
• Don't wet wound – avoid bathing in bathtub and pool
• Keep wound dry and clean
• Follow dressing change recommendations

Contact doctor if you notice:

• Increasing redness or swelling around wound
• Purulent discharge from wound
• Fever above 38°C
• Severe pain not subsiding after painkillers

Most patients return to normal activities next day after procedure. Wound heals for 7-14 days, and after healing remains small, practically invisible scar.

Esperal medication manufacturer guarantees action for minimum 8 months. In clinical practice implant works from 8 to 12 months – exact time depends on patient's metabolism, body weight and physical activity.

Throughout action period disulfiram is gradually released from implant into body, maintaining constant drug concentration in blood. After action expiration another procedure can be performed at our clinic in Krakow.

It's worth remembering that implant is not a «cure» for addiction – it's a tool giving time to work through drinking causes in psychological therapy.

Alcohol implant removal is technically possible, however requires surgical intervention. Esperal implant grows into muscle tissue and is placed deep under fascia – its extraction is not simple procedure.

Implant removal conditions at Nasz Gabinet Krakow

• We only remove implants implanted at our facility – we have full medical documentation allowing implant localization
• If necessary we perform ultrasound examination to accurately determine implant position
• Procedure is performed by experienced surgeon

Does implant removal restore drinking possibility?

Not immediately. Disulfiram during implant action period partially absorbed into body – implant removal doesn't guarantee immediate medication action cessation. Patient should maintain caution for following weeks.

Before deciding on implant removal, we recommend consultation with therapist. Sudden need to get rid of implant often signals deeper problem requiring therapeutic work.

We offer six Esperal implant packages, tailored to different patient needs. Prices include full service range – no hidden costs.

Basic Implant – 799 PLN

Economic package. Disulfiram implantation in minimum concentration, non-dissolvable stitches (for removal after 2 weeks), follow-up visit included. Suitable for patients with shorter addiction history.

Standard Implant – 799 PLN

Disulfiram in medium concentration, intramuscular antibiotic minimizing infection risk, non-dissolvable stitches, follow-up visit. Most frequently chosen package for patients seeking balance between price and effectiveness.

6h Detox + Standard Implant – 1599 PLN

For patients after alcohol binge. 6-hour detox under doctor care (IV drips, stabilization, withdrawal symptom alleviation), then implant implantation in standard concentration. Antibiotic and follow-up visit included.

VIP Implant – 1099 PLN (most popular)

Disulfiram in high concentration (action up to 12 months), dissolvable stitches (don't require removal), intramuscular antibiotic, two prescriptions: for medication reducing alcohol craving (Naltrexone/Acamprosate) and preparation enhancing implant action. Follow-up visit included.

12h Detox + VIP Implant – 2499 PLN

Intensive package for patients in deep alcohol binge. 12-hour detox with full medical monitoring, then VIP implant implantation with high disulfiram concentration. Dissolvable stitches, antibiotic, supporting prescriptions, follow-up visit.

Exclusive Implant – 1900 PLN

Premium package with disulfiram in maximum concentration. Contains everything VIP has, plus 2 additional medical consultations to use for follow-up visits or further treatment plan discussion.

We serve patients from entire Lesser Poland Voivodeship and surrounding areas.

Locations with good access to Krakow:

• Nowy Sącz
• Tarnów
• Oświęcim
• Wadowice
• Chrzanów
• Wieliczka
• Myślenice
• Olkusz
• Zakopane
• Bochnia
• Niepołomice
• Skawina

For years we've been helping patients from Krakow and Lesser Poland fight alcohol addiction. We combine medical effectiveness with empathetic approach and full discretion.

What distinguishes our facility:

• Experienced team – procedures performed by doctors with many years of experience in addiction treatment
• Sterile conditions – procedure room meets rigorous hygiene standards
• Comprehensive offer – detox, implant and psychotherapy in one place
• Transparent prices – you know exactly what each package contains, no hidden costs
• Flexible appointments – clinic open daily, also on weekends

We don't judge, we don't moralize. Our goal is to help you regain control over life.

Esperal implantation procedure is low complication risk procedure, provided performed by experienced staff in sterile conditions.

Potential complications (rare):

• Allergic reaction to disulfiram or dressing materials
• Infection at implantation site (when not following hygiene recommendations)
• Small scar after wound healing

At Nasz Gabinet Krakow we minimize risk through: thorough medical interview before procedure, sterile clinic conditions, prophylactic antibiotic (in Standard and higher packages) and detailed wound care instructions after procedure.

Esperal implant alone doesn't cure addiction – it prevents drinking for 8-12 months. This time is invaluable, but only when used to work through causes of reaching for alcohol.

Effective alcoholism treatment includes:

1. Detox – body cleansing and stabilization after alcohol binge
2. Esperal implant – pharmacological protection against impulsive reaching for alcohol
3. Psychotherapy – work on addiction causes and building new behavior patterns

At Nasz Gabinet Krakow we offer all these elements. Patient who after implant action end hasn't undergone therapy remains with high risk of addiction return.

Alcohol implant is most effective combined with psychotherapy. At Nasz Gabinet Krakow we offer comprehensive psychological support.

Available therapy forms:

• Individual consultations with psychologist or addiction therapist
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy focused on addiction mechanisms
• Support in building strategies for coping with stress and triggers

Patients combining Esperal implant with regular psychotherapy achieve significantly better results in maintaining lasting abstinence. Implant action time (8-12 months) is window for working through drinking causes.

Our clinic is located at Siewna 4/5 street, 31-231 Krakow. Location is convenient both for city center residents and people commuting from Nowa Huta, Podgórze or surrounding localities.

Access to clinic

• Public transport: buses – stops nearby
• By car: parking spaces available in area

Opening hours and registration

Clinic open daily from 8:00 to 20:00, also on Saturdays and Sundays. Registration: +48 880 808 880 or through online form. In many cases procedure can be performed same day after consultation.