I have been somewhat of a "lurker" here for a few months and am ready to make this program work. I visited my Doc and have my Naltrexone and my supplements. I'm also seeing a Therapist. I'm wondering how everyone here got through the first few days AF? Today is day one - although I didn't drink myself into a stupor last night. I'm noticing that I feel pretty anxious and my hands are shaky. Can you tell me what you went through and how you dealt with it?
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New on Naltrexone
Hi S&TNM, and welcome!
Sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what your plan is, and you're mostly anxious to know what to expect. Different people are different, so I can only tell my story (and I haven't taken Naltrexone, so I can't speak to that at all).... I didn't really have physical withdrawal symptoms, except poor sleep for the first day or two (of course, I had a lot of poor sleep from drinking, too). I think kudzu and L-glutamine really helped keep physical cravings at bay, as compared to previous times I'd tried to quit. The main problem was mental habits. For the first week or so (especially the first ~4 days) during my regular "drinking hours", my thoughts would keep turning to beer. Again, and again, and again. They say that men think about sex once every seven seconds on average (speaking as a man, I think that's inflated by at least a factor of 4). It was like that, but for beer. I'm happy to say that that didn't last for very many days, however, and now I just have to be on the lookout for specific triggers (being around other people who are drinking, with alcohol freely available) and state-changes when I might be more vulnerable (hungry, stressed, depressed mood). So if I were to offer one piece of advice, it would be: for the first several days, make specific plans ahead of time for how you're going to fill those drinking hours. Plan to go to a movie, plan to go out for a long walk, plan to call a friend, plan to read and post on MWO, whatever, but something away from temptation, and something specific. And if I were to offer a second piece of advice, it would be: pour out any alcohol you still have in the house, if possible (I don't know if you have a drinking spouse, or whatever). It's much easier to resist the temptation to go to the store than it is to resist the temptation to drink what's already in the fridge. You can do it -- keep us posted.
peace and strength,
lilnevQ: How do I become the person I want to be?
A: Practice, of course. -
New on Naltrexone
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I will take your advice and make plans for my "drinking" times - I hadn't done that. I have therapy after work on Mondays - so that day is taken care of. Getting some exercise and seeing a few movies probably isn't a bad idea. Thanks again!:new:Comment
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New on Naltrexone
Great advice lilnev (as usual)...
As far as withdrawal symptoms are concerned, it depends a lot on how physically dependent you are. Most people on here seem to be mostly mentally addicted, not so much physically. A mild physical addiction withdrawal will manifest itself in nervousness, problems focussing, problems sleeping, but these will go over rather quickly, in a few days at most. Try to use the anxious energy to do physical things, like cleaning up, raking leaves, exercising, etc. Think of it as extra energy that you are fortunate to have -- and take advantage of it.
I don't know much about Naltrexone except it is supposed to decrease your desire to drink. So, if it works for you, great. I just tried Kudzu today and man it works! I have also been taking l-glutamine in large doses, but it does not seem to have a great effect on my need to drink, though it does make me feel good. (mood regulator).
As lilnev says, plans are the best-- plan plan plan. (oh yeh, and get rid of all alc in the house... very helpful!)
hope to hear from you. keep us updated!Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life... And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Adress, 2005
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New on Naltrexone
p.s. SUPPLEMENTS!Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life... And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Adress, 2005
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New on Naltrexone
Hello S&TNM, I was on Naltrexone for about a week, look in the meds posts under drinking on Naltrexone, the Sinclair method. It worked fabulously for about a week, but no pill can curb your I usually have one now or everyone else is so I might as well. I did notice the first week I took 25mg around 5:00 before I left work that I did'nt think about it as much on the way home and when I got home. If I did have a drink I was able to sip it longer and did'nt have a huge desire to over do it. However, after about a week I think my brain compensated for the block of the Naltrexone and the cravings were there but still not as bad. Yes I do think the supplements many mention here are helpful and especially reading and posting and never say never.Comment
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New on Naltrexone
welcome
Just wanted to welcome you, don't have much advice as I am at day one this week, drank over the weekend, but moderately!
I have gone 30 or more days at a time but usually find that after I start feeling good, I say "what the h**l, may as well", have a drink that is....
Never took naltrexone, maybe that would help, but took topamax, which did help, but I couldn't see that much of a difference to make it worth the side effects I was having.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress, hope to see you around!!:h
HUGS,
MA:rays:My happiness is my greatest gift to others:rays:
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