Just found this site

[Benno]

Just found this site

Hi Cindi,

Well done for booting the cravings, especially in those circumstances.

I decided not to drink in front of my Mum while she was trying to overcome her problem with alcohol. I probably didnt until she was AF for 5 years. Little did I realise that I was developing my own addiction while she was gaining control.

Ben

[Roz]

Just found this site

To Benno August 28

Dear Benno,
Welcome to MWO. I just want to add that instead of taking Topamax I opted for the drug Chantix which is used to help smokers quit. I also take the MWO supplements plus
L-Glutamine and listen to the CD's. I have been on the program for 3 weeks and can honestly say that the cravings are not as strong as i've had in my drinking days. I "use" to drink 2 bottles of wine 4-5 days/week. All I would think about was when and where I would buy my next supply of wine. It was taking over my life. I just decided that I wanted my life back. Last Saturday, I went to a party and waited to drink. I had 2 glasses of wine and then my husband wanted to go home. It was good timing because I was imagining that 3rd, 4th, 5th .... glass and that beer in the garage frig at home. When I got home the urge was gone and I had ice cream instead. This would have never happened if I wasn't on the program. I suggest that you go AF for awhile because you don't have anyone at home to stop you from that 3rd glass... I also want to add that topamax is used for bi-polar disorders. Personally, I think your alcohol intake is making you appear to have the symptoms. Whatever the case may be, you seemed determined to quit and that is a great start. Good Luck and keep reading the threads.

[beatle]

Just found this site

While you wait for your MWO supps, I would suggest you get yourself some good vit. C (Ester C) and a multivitamin and a multi-B vitamin and start taking them right away. Vitamin C in large doses reduces cravings and helps you body heal. You need lots of Bs, too, which you lose in drinking. I take about 1,600mg C per day (spread out over the day, with or without meals) and 6 multi-Bs (6X recommended dose) and double the multi-vitamin dose (with meals). This was suggested to me by a nutritionalist specialising in recovering alcoholics. She says there are no worries about taking so much vitamins as alcohol drinkers/recovering alcoholics don't absorb them properly and we need to take much more. They have really helped me and things will get even better once you get the complete MWO supp package.

[beatle]

Just found this site

p.s., you won't need so many supps for the rest of your life, it's just to help your body recover and to help you handle the changes in your system after stopping drinking. I plan to taper my supps down to a more "normal" level starting about 3 months after I have been AF. (I've done AF for a month 2 times and a couple weeks many times, but always relapsed. I just started the supps about a month ago and they are doing great things for me.)

[Benno]

Just found this site

Hi Roz and Beatle,

Thanks for your insights. I'm glad you've been able to drink in moderation Roz and although I have a flatmate, I could still just head out to the garage, sit in my chair and smoke cigs any time I wanted.. Even if i had a partner, I wouldnt trust myself to drink in moderation ... my goal is definitely AF.

Briefly, I saw a psychologist a year ago who asked me to stop drinking through cognitive behavioural therapy so that he could assess if I was bipolar while not being affected by alcohol, however I dont think I was ready to do that.

I made an appointment today and actually was actually able to see the doc who referred me to the psyche last time, after work. He had all the notes from the psyche sessions and this helped (I had not seen him for a year). I spoke quite openly to him. I talked to him about Topamax and Naltrexone and he said Topamax was not used in Oz for alcohol abuse at this stage. He wanted me to take Naltrexone and I took his advice. He also gave me 100mg of thiamine to take per day.

Beatle, I have beroccas but will dose up, thanks.

I just took my first tablet of Naltrexone about 2 hours ago and have felt nauseus in the last 10 minutes, but now it's gone a bit.

Beatle ... My doc said it was great I had joined this site, but warned not to become too dependent on it ... just as you did yesterday

Anyhow, I got through today AF, did the shopping and made dinner. I'll go for a run tomorrow.

Felt like I had the support of you people just walking through the streets here in Melbourne on the way to my appointment

Ben

[Kyna]

Just found this site

Benno,
I only joined last week and, like you, I had a immediate good feeling about this community. I've been coming back here for almost a week now, and am finding it an invaluable support ... It's also a wealth of information. I keep taking notes - good stuff about the vitamins, Beatle.
Like the others said, you sound very switched on and are recognising that there is actually a problem. It's a start.

It's late here in Australia so I haven't got anything very earth-shattering to say, just wanting to weigh in with my support ...
Enjoyed reading your thread so hope to see you here and swap some stories! I'm just getting started with this program so will be considering some of the same issues as you ...
Take care of yourself,

Kyna

[Benno]

Just found this site

Hi Kyna,

Hey thanks for your support and it's nice to have someone to go through this with who started around the same time. I tried to find your story here but I couldnt locate it. I would be interested to hear it if you felt like telling it.

Eitherway i look forward to discussing how things are going in general, how you plan to handle social situations and when people offer you a drink. These are just some of the things I'm contemplating.

Yes I'm feeling a bit tired now too, this is my first few hours on narltrexone and I tell you one thing, I dont feel like drinking. Time for bed in about 20 mins I think.

Take care,

Ben

[beatle]

Just found this site

what are berroccas?

[Roz]

Just found this site

Benno,
I disagree with your doctor's advice about this site. How can talking to people who have similar problems be damaging. If I didn't find this site I would probably be drinking again. It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one on this earth who has a drinking problem. I was alone when I drank and I certainly don't want to be alone when I don't drink. My thoughts are with you.

[Benno]

Just found this site

Hi Roz,

No that was my fault.

He definitely said it was a very good thing that I had found this site for the reasons you raise. He just said that he didnt want it to become all consuming. In his words "if you are getting to work 2 hours late because you are spending all your time on the site, then you are becoming too dependent on it and you just need to watch it".

I said, no, I plan dropping in every day though to see how others were going and to say hi and enjoy this supportive environment. He said that's fine as long as I didnt become obsessive about it.

Sorry for the misunderstanding and hope you're doing well too.

[Guest]

Just found this site

Hi Benno,
Glad to see how positive you`re feeling.
Best thing I ever did was join this site.

I initially tried and failed to moderate, and am now 32 days AF.

Love and strength to you,

Starlight Impress x

[Benno]

Just found this site

beatle;187281 wrote: what are berroccas?

Beroccas are effervescent tablets (straight from the labelling ) and they have Vitamin B1 (15mg), B2 (15mg), B3 (50mg), B5 (23mg), B6 (10mg), B12 10(yg), Vitamin C 500 mg, Biotin, Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc.

Made by Bayer, no doubt just an Aussie brand name.

[Benno]

Just found this site

Hi Starlight Impress,

I took the train to Glasgow the one and only time I have been there ... love the accents!

Great going 32 days AF!

Today was the first time a usual friend texted for a drink, I said "no, I'm trying very hard to give up and have started taking naltrexone to reduce cravings, amongst other things, I was going to talk to you about it tonight". He didnt reply but I knew he would be the biggest sook about it and I'm not concerned.

Anyhow, this naltrexone has sort of knocked me for 6 and I certainly dont feel like a drink, but still, I felt good saying no and explaining to him what I'm doing. I've got 2 other mates to tell that I'm trying and they'll be fine and supportive.

I stopped Sunday 3 am (I think), so Monday was really my first day ... 3 days AF.

Thanks for your support,

Ben

[Cinders]

Just found this site

Ben,

Awesome on the 3 days!! I am taking Naltrexone and Capral. They do seem to help.

It will be good for your friends to be supportive. You will find out who your true friends are with this.

Hang in there and stay strong.

Cindi

[Roz]

Just found this site

Benno,
I'm glad there was a misunderstanding because I was beginning to wonder about your doctor. Wheww! It sounds like you're doing good now that the meds are kicking in. When you said no to your friend about a drink - it's those little things that add up making being sober a wonderful place to be. Just the other day I felt so good that I actually remembered what my conversations were the night before. I also find that I'm calmer and less stressed out. Congrats on day 3.