Hi--I've been reading the posts on this board for a few weeks now (although I actually found the forum over a year ago). This is an amazing community. I'm blown away by how supportive and nice everyone is. 
A bit about me: I'm in my early 30's. I struggled w/ alcoholism as a teenager, got sent to rehab and stayed sober for 10 years with the help of AA, in part. But mainly what kept me sober was that I didn't want to be a horrible alcoholic like my father was (and still is to this day). Also, in retrospect, I don't think that I was yet physically-dependent on alcohol in the way that I am now. When I was sober, I fulfilled many of my dreams. I got my BA, two masters degrees and my PhD, established a great career, volunteered for organizations that I cared a lot about, met the love of my life, and made wonderful friends.
When I started drinking again, I didn't have a problem. I rarely got drunk and could just drink like a normal social drinker. About 1.5 years ago, things started to get out of control and have only gotten worse. I started hiding my vodka and lying to my husband about how much I was drinking. One day he found my "stash" and freaked out (that was a little over a year ago). I didn't drink for 7 days but the cravings were OUT OF CONTROL. I felt like my skin was crawling. I tried naltrexone and it worked at first (the honeymoon period I think is what they call it), and then stopped. I was unaware of the Sinclair Method, though, so in retrospect I wasn't using the naltrexone properly.
Anyway, flash forward to now. I found a psychiatrist to prescribe naltrexone to me and I've been following the Sinclair Method for about 6 weeks. Hasn't made a dent in my drinking yet. (I'm at 6-10 drinks per day)
After reading all of the posts on baclofen and Dr. Amiesen's book, I'm optimistic that this will work for me. I have MAJOR anxiety issues and I'm convinced it's an important part of why I drink so much. I put an order in for the meds via one of the online websites recommended on this forum b/c I highly doubt my psychiatrist will give me a prescription. I'll ask anyway him but in the meantime, I want to get started on this ASAP. Once I get the baclofen, I'll let you all know how it goes.
I'm desperate to make this work. My husband has threatened to leave me if I don't. I have so many bruises and random scars from falling down drunk it's embarrassing. I apparently have made a total ass out of myself at work functions (of course I was blacked out and don't entirely remember). I've even made an ass of myself in front of my students (I'm a college professor) when they've seen me out at bars. One time one of my students actually had to drive me home b/c I was so wasted--thankfully this student was not someone who would spread this around our school. I finally have my dream job and it's in serious jeopardy if I can't get my alcoholism under control.
Thanks to all of you who regularly post on this board. I'm especially grateful for all of the information about baclofen from Bill P and many others. Thanks to all of you, I'm optimistic that I can do this.
--Anna
A bit about me: I'm in my early 30's. I struggled w/ alcoholism as a teenager, got sent to rehab and stayed sober for 10 years with the help of AA, in part. But mainly what kept me sober was that I didn't want to be a horrible alcoholic like my father was (and still is to this day). Also, in retrospect, I don't think that I was yet physically-dependent on alcohol in the way that I am now. When I was sober, I fulfilled many of my dreams. I got my BA, two masters degrees and my PhD, established a great career, volunteered for organizations that I cared a lot about, met the love of my life, and made wonderful friends.
When I started drinking again, I didn't have a problem. I rarely got drunk and could just drink like a normal social drinker. About 1.5 years ago, things started to get out of control and have only gotten worse. I started hiding my vodka and lying to my husband about how much I was drinking. One day he found my "stash" and freaked out (that was a little over a year ago). I didn't drink for 7 days but the cravings were OUT OF CONTROL. I felt like my skin was crawling. I tried naltrexone and it worked at first (the honeymoon period I think is what they call it), and then stopped. I was unaware of the Sinclair Method, though, so in retrospect I wasn't using the naltrexone properly.
Anyway, flash forward to now. I found a psychiatrist to prescribe naltrexone to me and I've been following the Sinclair Method for about 6 weeks. Hasn't made a dent in my drinking yet. (I'm at 6-10 drinks per day)
After reading all of the posts on baclofen and Dr. Amiesen's book, I'm optimistic that this will work for me. I have MAJOR anxiety issues and I'm convinced it's an important part of why I drink so much. I put an order in for the meds via one of the online websites recommended on this forum b/c I highly doubt my psychiatrist will give me a prescription. I'll ask anyway him but in the meantime, I want to get started on this ASAP. Once I get the baclofen, I'll let you all know how it goes.
I'm desperate to make this work. My husband has threatened to leave me if I don't. I have so many bruises and random scars from falling down drunk it's embarrassing. I apparently have made a total ass out of myself at work functions (of course I was blacked out and don't entirely remember). I've even made an ass of myself in front of my students (I'm a college professor) when they've seen me out at bars. One time one of my students actually had to drive me home b/c I was so wasted--thankfully this student was not someone who would spread this around our school. I finally have my dream job and it's in serious jeopardy if I can't get my alcoholism under control.
Thanks to all of you who regularly post on this board. I'm especially grateful for all of the information about baclofen from Bill P and many others. Thanks to all of you, I'm optimistic that I can do this.
--Anna
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