AL Detox Time

[Meech]

AL Detox Time

Yeah happy about the reinbursement for the meat.

Plus my naltrexone is 100% covered through my hubby's insurance plan at work too.

Thank goodness because I'm not working to much this summer. Well off for a swim, bike and run. Last heavy training session before my triathlon this Sunday. Haven't done much training due to the bad back so my time won't be close to what my race was a month ago. Plus it's all hills at this one. I'm just happy to be able to do it. Almost cancelled out of the event. Almost.

Picking up the Nal today as they were all out at pharamacy yesterday. Hee hee small towns.

Catch you all later today!
Michelle

[Meech]

AL Detox Time

So I haven't taken any Naltrexone yet. I won't take it when I am absteining. Only when I am feeling like I am going to cave.

I am going to follow the Sinclair Method approach to taking this drug info. It makes more sense the more I read up on it and follow a few people's journey who have used this approach.

Sorry if I am repeating myself with this drug I'm just excited about this whole thing...
Typically when you have that first drink the "brain activity" that often occurs with binge drinkers or anyone with an alcohol problem, results in making you want to drink more and more. Just like me. First drink I want a second after the second I want a third evenmore and so on. But with Nal this urge to drink more gets shut off.

I also understand that by taking the drug when you are absteining is really not that effective. Which is good in a way so you are so dependent on a drug for your sobriety you still need to do the lifestyle change yourself. The point of the drug is a learning and re-wiring process for the brain when you have a drink. After years of drinking (it's learned and been wired to binge every time and that's been going on for the last 20 years).

Like Pablo's Dog (spelling)? If you take the food away and still ring the bell then eventually the dog's brain is re-wired to stop salavating and expecting to eat.

So last night after a wicked workout in the morning and a good run group session in the evening (don't worry I didn't run again just coached) I had the usual "reward" myself with a drink. AND the strangest thing happened. I thought for sure I would cave and give this Nal a try to work it's magic and maybe I would just have 1 or 2 - IF the drug does what it claims to do. Just knowing that maybe I could do this but not continue to drink was enough for me to not even try. So I drank lemonade which was just as refreshing after a hot summer day. Sober head on pillow and woke up fresh and energized! Hmmm didn't see that one coming.

Not to say it will be that easy next time but I'm glad it happened last night. So another AF night - hurray.

It's like I have this extra security blanket just in case I need it and I found the strength to do it on my own. Feeling quite happy about it all as I reflect.

[papmom3]

AL Detox Time

hey Meech-good job last nite!! Very interesting info about the Nal. So it doesn't even need to be in your system for a certain length of time before it starts working? That's awesome!! And if you do take it and have a drink, it could prevent your brain from wanting another? Hmmm. So in essence, it could turn you into a "normie"? Take it or leave it sort of thinking? Wow, that would be great. Please let us know how it works for you but don't experiement just for the sake of seeing how it works.

I'll be thinking of you on Sunday while I'm at the agility trial. You'll be running the triatholon at the same time. Let's send pawsitive vibes across the country to each other!!

[Meech]

AL Detox Time

Ha ha ha pawsitive vibes! Very cute.

Yes that is what the drug claims. Wouldn't it be great if I never find out because I don't go for that drink! We shall see when that day comes (hope it won't).

Sounds to good to be true. Maybe it works for some but not others. Cause if it were this good I would think all of us would have been on it by now. Don't mean to sound skeptical but boy it would be great if it worked.

Getting a movie tonight and hopefull an earlier night. Had a bit of a late night last night - Sober I was just decorating cupcakes and filling loot bags till midnight for my son's birthday party. It was a great day.

Now I'm just working on hydrating, carb loading and resting the muscles till Sunday! Oh yeah and looking after 3 little ones of course. Have a great night Friday is almost here (or has arrived for some of you)

[mollyka]

AL Detox Time

Hey Meech and Paps, good luck both of you with your 'events' over the weekend. That drug sounds definitely a little too good to be true - do let us know how it goes, course as you say if you don't drink you'll never know and you're not planning on drinking!
Have a nice day/night
Molly

[Hippy Chick]

AL Detox Time

Hello Meech.

Must be the season for freezers being turned off.... "someone" (think it was actually a ghost becaue no-one has admitted to it!) turned my freezer off during the week and I had the same. Although I didnt have too much meat in it. It is so annoying isnt it?

I am glad you explained the function of drugs in getting and staying AF. I wouldnt take anything because I couldnt understand taking one drug to stop me taking another. And also what would happen when you stopped taking the drug. If you dont work on "fixing" the reasons for your addiction and you just mask the cravings with a drug, when you stop taking the drugs are you more likely to pick up again? I didnt realise it was about re-wiring the brains.
So thanks for that. And good luck with the Nal. Hopefully you wont have to take it. (There is a big controversy over here in Australia with naltrexone as one doctor who is looked on as a maverick uses it for heroin addiction. He swears by it and gets great results but as the medical profession here are still dinosaurs they get scared when someone promises cures. And it is reallllllllly expensive.... typical doctors/chemists.... if something works they bump the price up so no-one gets better and they keep getting money).

Anyway glad everyone is getting pro-active with their journeys.

Take care and good luck with the triathlon.

HIP

[Hippy Chick]

AL Detox Time

Morning Meech. Sending your energy and strength for your triathlon today. Good luck.
Hip

[mollyka]

AL Detox Time

Good luck Meech, hope it goes brill!
Molly

[papmom3]

AL Detox Time

Hey Meech!! How'd you do??? I was thinking of you today trying to figure out the time diff and if you were running, swimming or biking as we were running or waiting around for our event. Hope you got my pings across the country and that your back didn't bother you too much. Can't wait to hear all about it!!
:l Pam

[Meech]

AL Detox Time

Hi all,

I am tired. The triathlon was awesome. My back didn't bother me a bit during the race. Got tight after but went to physio this morning and it's improving a lot. Really pumped to get training for the next one in a few weeks.

How did your event go Papmom? I haven't jumped over to your thread so I am sure I'll find out all about it when I do.

Hippy - sorry about your freezer incident. It is interesting how the medical systems work in different countries. Thank goodness my husband has a good benefit plan at work. Most meds are covered.

Hi Molly hope you had a great weekend.

My first experience with Naltrexone..... (yes I drank - grrrr)
Okay so my typical reward after a race is to drink a bunch of cold beer. So I held off till 7pm last night and then thought okay I'll try this Naltrexone med one hour before. And I did. After 2 beers I had enough. And that never happens. So yes I drank and slipped up but I didn't go crazy which is typical 100% of the time after every race I have ever done.

I'm NOT going to use a new drug to replace my addiction to alcohol. I am relying on my own strength, healthy eating, tips for avoiding cravings. But those times when I do feel I'm slipping I can get a little help so I hopefully don't go into a full binge. Hopefully those times will become less and less as my AF life becomes the BIG HABIT and eventually slips will be extinct!

I feel very focussed on my training for the next month and AL has no benefit and can only wreak havoc. I MUST REWARD myself next time with a great meal instead. Sorry guys.

Meech

[papmom3]

AL Detox Time

NO APOLOGIES MEECH!!! You got the Nal for a reason and you used it the way it is supposed to be used and I think it was quite successful. It may very well be that you need to be able to have a few beers every now or then IF YOU REALLY WANT THEM and only if you want them for the taste, not to get numb and binge. I think that as the AF life becomes the norm for you, you will stop wanting them and will actually crave something else like food or a neat Mocktail. My cravings are strictly "get pissed and numb" cravings. I have no desire to just have "a few". If you are like me then you're really going to have to work on being AF by having a plan and planning for your triggers. I don't think you are like me from what you've written although when you do drink you tend to binge. Anyway, this will be a learning process for you and we are behind you all the way!!
:l Pam

[mollyka]

AL Detox Time

Well done on the triathlon Meech - sounds like you did great. Also re. the booze thing, like Paps says you got the drugs for a reason and you used them as they were supposed to be used. Have to say I'm with Paps on needing to get 'pissed and numb', anything less would be a waste of time (back in the day I mean, thankfully not now!).
Molly

[Meech]

AL Detox Time

Thanks guys. Well that is generally how I am too. Get pissed or don't bother. So this Naltrexone is suppose to help block that binging desire. I don't want it to be a regular thing. I want this medication to be used only on those days of desparation where I cave. I want the drugs as an absolute last resort so hopefully I don't binge.
My ultimate goal is still to eventually be rid of AL forever. I'd rather have it completely out of my life.

I am hoping for many AF days starting with today.

[Hippy Chick]

AL Detox Time

Morning Meech.
Well done on the triatholon. And well done on the use of Nal too. If you can use it to stop you having tons of beer then I think that is good use of it. You have often said that you love the taste of beer but one always leads to lots. So if Nal can prevent you getting drunk and having lots of regrets then go for it I say! Maybe you will be one of those who is able to moderate.
I'm with the others..... get pissed and numb......that's my motto, so I wouldnt be able to nor do I want to moderate. Everyone is different and all our paths are different. So you decide for yourself what you want to do. Just know that whatever you choose we will support you all the way.
Those few drinks I had when I was away, really showed me the difference between having a few and my old lifestyle. I didnt get drunk and that was the difference - If I cant feel the effects of AL, it doesnt appeal to me. I love that buzz I get, but one or two doesnt do it for me.
You said that you want to use the Nal only when the cravings get so bad you cant cope. Well that is the way it is supposed to be used. And if you think about it, you dont get that many cravings, generally you cope quite well. So if you use it then, rather than use it as an excuse to drink, I cant see a problem. Just take each day as it comes Meech. Focus on how you feel today rather than project into the future (says she who does that constantly!! need to listen to what I tell others sometimes).
Have a good one. Catchya later.
XXXX

[papmom3]

AL Detox Time

If that is what you want Meech, than I have the utmost faith you will get there. You are an athlete and have the discipline to be successful. Use the Nal as just one of many tools in your aresonal.
I'm so glad the triathlon went well for you!! I know you were pretty worried about your back holding up. I can't believe you are going to do another one!! I guess they become easier? Kind of like walking? I can do 2 miles with no problem every day if I had the time whereas a year ago a mile was tough.
Keep posting OK? You're going to be just fine.
:l Pam