Definition

A medication that helps people stop drinking alcohol by causing unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed.

Example

The doctor prescribed disulfiram to help her patients overcome their alcohol addiction.

Conversation

Have you heard of disulfiram?

Yeah, I think it's a medication for people trying to quit drinking.

Exactly! It makes you feel really sick if you drink alcohol while on it.

That sounds like a strong deterrent for anyone trying to stop.

Root Explanation

Disulfiram is formed from "di-" (meaning two) and "sulfiram" (a compound name derived from sulfur and amine). The word refers to a chemical compound that contains two sulfur atoms, hence the prefix 'di-' indicating two.

Memory Tip

Think of 'di-' meaning two, which helps you remember that disulfiram contains two sulfur atoms in its structure.

Visually Confused Words