What is the primary substance a patient taking Antabuse should avoid?

A patient taking Antabuse (disulfiram) must avoid alcohol because the medication is specifically used to support the treatment of chronic alcoholism. When a person consumes alcohol while taking Antabuse, it can trigger a severe reaction known as the disulfiram-alcohol reaction. This reaction can cause uncomfortable and potentially dangerous symptoms, such as flushing, nausea, vomiting, and palpitations. The purpose of Antabuse is to deter alcohol consumption by inducing these unpleasant effects if alcohol is ingested. Therefore, complete abstinence from alcohol is crucial for the medication to be effective and safe.