kudzu etc.

[the bellinator]

what are your thoughts on kudzu or other supplements that "reduce" cravings? anybody think they work for sure? :new:

[overittoday]

kudzu etc.

hi the bell
I haven't tried any of them so cant really comment. But am also interested to hear how effective they are.
I usually take: Magnesium, Vit B, primrose oil, Multivitamin, liver tonic (which is in a tablet) and Fish Oil.

[Winefree]

kudzu etc.

In my early sobriety, I used kudzo and l-glut to relieve the cravings, along with calms forte for the anxiety. They seemed to work for me. I used the All one vitamins and did a candida cleanse followed by probiotics.
Can't say what worked how or when etc, but whatever did I'm grateful for, since I"m close to 10 months alcohol free.

Can't hurt, give them a try.

Winefree

[Hippy Chick]

kudzu etc.

Hi Bellinator.

I am taking all the suggested supps which I got in the starter pack. I am seven weeks without a drink and am so glad I take them. I have so much more energy and the cravings have all but gone. I am planning on slowly reducing them and just having Kudzu and L-glut available if/when I need it as they seem to be for full on cravings. I think now when I get a craving it is just a habit rather than a physical craving for AL.
I know they cost quite a bit (especially with postage as I am in Australia and they come from overseas) however I look at what I was spending on AL on a weekly basis and feel I am in front now.
I did order the Topamax however I havent taken it as I felt the supps and CD's did the job for me.
Good luck with your decision.

Hippy

[BELIEVE]

kudzu etc.

Kudzu was the greatest stuff ever for me. Helped me go completley af on my very first try. Now I guess you could say I mod. I'm af most of the time but a few times a year stuff comes up (special events, vacations, etc) and I like to drink for those. Personally I can drink as much as I want for as long as I want (for example a whole vacation or whatever) and still be able to stop when its over thanks to Kudzu. Matter of fact it seems to get easier each time, I just recently used L-glute for the first time and it really helepd as well. They both reduced the cravings to a point where they barley registered.

What kudzu can't do is help you put together a routine for the times when you normally drink in which you don't (if that makes sense). One of the hardest adjustments I had to make was to fashion what seemed to be an alternate reality that didn't involve drinking at all. SOunds crazy but part of what I percieved as cravings was really just me not knowing what to do in situations where I would normally drink. Once I got some extended af time under my belt though it became much easier since i saw that by and large quality of life goes way up when I'm af. A lot of rambling I know, but I just woke up haha and i need more coffe. I hope this helps and best of luck to you.

[the bellinator]

kudzu etc.

:thanks:
Believe--makes total sense. I used to drink every day after work........now I need something positive to take the place of that time. I learned somewhere--if you do something for 21 days it becomes a habit. You have greater chances of "quitting" a habit if you replace it with another. I'm looking for that replacement habit........crafts, walking, I don't know........

[Funny Girl]

kudzu etc.

Agreed - this is the first Saturday in a long time that I didn't drink & I couldn't believe how much I accomplished. I feel good & am planning on a nice pre-dinner walk with my dogs. I don't feel deprived at all - I'm amazed. Usually at this time of day, I'd be drunk already or at least buzzed enough to decline other invitations to go anywhere. Then, it would be a night of TV and more drinking plus the guilt of knowing I 'did it again'. Today I had a plan in advance & I think it made a big difference.

I've also heard the 21 day rule - I'm on day 6 AF, so let's hope I make it 21. Not sure if in the end I'll chose never to drink again or to occasionally drink (although I'm not sure that would be realistic for me), but no matter what I think the farther away I get from my old routine, the better. I have been doing more cooking . . . .(and then eating it, of course!)

[BELIEVE]

kudzu etc.

Funnygirl I was right where you're at my first time around. Bellinator, hopefully you'll be there soon. That first sober weekend is pretty crazy, and for me that first Monday going to work sans a hangover was just about the coolest shit ever (I even wrote a post about it haha).

The absolute most important thing right now is just to get that first 30 days af at any cost. Kudzu can help some people get there, others might need something different. Whatever it takes just get there, its a goal worthy of all your focus. When you hit that point you'll find that somewhere along the way, the foundations of your new life were being laid. Even more so at the 90 day point (I thought I read somewhere that your brain chemistry changes at this point with regards to alcohol cravings).

One more thing I forgot to mention is that Kudzu seems to quit working after about 3 weeks (for me anyway). Its never been a problem though because at that point cravings are more or less all in my head and although annoying they are very manageable.

[Funny Girl]

kudzu etc.

Believe - the Kudzu has worked for me so far. Never heard about the 3 week thing, but it's good to know, just in case that's what happens with me. I can tell you, this is the first Monday in a long time that I've looked forward to being up early with a lot to do since I KNOW I won't be hungover. It's changed my whole approach to Sunday! I've scheduled a 9 a.m. breakfast meeting just to reinforce the coolness of it all! You couldn't have paid me to schedule anything before 10a these past 2 years on a Monday (I'm self employed, so I can do that . . .).

Bellinator, it can't hurt to have some Kuzu & L-Glut in your cupboard just in case you need the help. We're rooting for you!

[BELIEVE]

kudzu etc.

Those types of Mondays kick ass! Starting the week off without a hangover is the greatest.

And Don't worry about the Kudzu losing its effectivness after 3 weeks like I said when you get that far along its doubtful you'll need it. Still though its a good idea to have an extra bottle around. If need be you can wait a couple weeks and I'm sure the kudzu would once again work its magic. I seem to remember a conversation once about cycling it for that very reason but that was so long ago I forgot what we came up with.

[Cindi]

kudzu etc.

I have a question about Kudzo-I was at the local Flea Market yesterday and there was a booth that sold herbal and natural remedies, vitamins, etc. I looked at a bottle of Kudzu (it was a medicine dropper type where you put the liquid form under your tongue). I was going to get it since I've heard such good things, but on the bottle it said it contained Grain Alcohol (something like 10%). Is that a good idea for an alcoholic or would it do no harm?

[BELIEVE]

kudzu etc.

I would just go with the stuff they sell here. Its worked everytime! I don't know about the trincture (sp?) though.

[Funny Girl]

kudzu etc.

I would avoid a tincture with alcohol in it. I've used the stuff sold on this site & it has worked very well for me. I'd order some.