Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

[Graciella]

Hello, people :new: I quit drinking a little over 8 years ago, but my husband still drinks and has had a lifetime of trouble because of it. He is now taking Antabuse regularly (he SAYS), however he is STILL drinking and has told me that he, "seems to be one of those people who can drink while taking Antabuse" without any adverse effects, i.e. getting sick, etc. Hmmmmm... I remember when I took Antabuse many years ago AND I remember when I stopped taking it, I waited the required two weeks before even ATTEMPTING to sip alcohol and I still became violently ill. Can anyone tell me... is there any type of person whose metabolism could handle this, or do I need to start monitoring my husband when he takes his meds?

[K9Lover]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

Hi Graciella,
I've never heard of anyone being immune, but I suppose there is an exception to every rule. Like you mentioned, are you SURE he's taking it? I am currently taking it, but I would never test it out. Also, is the Antabuse prescribed, or was it purchased online? That may be a factor in the quality and potency of the medication. But to answer your question, no, I've never heard of anyone immune to it. Maybe someone else has more experience with it than I do though. Good luck!

[Graciella]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

Thanks, K9Lover! The Antabuse is prescribed. I think I'll call and ask a pharmacist about it, though, because I don't want to alert our doctor. I will be sure to post what I find out. By the way -- I am a big canine lover, too!

[Doggygirl]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

Graciella, if he is honestly trying to get sober, then I'm sure he would not mind taking it in front of you.... If he DOES mind, then I dont' know about you, but that would raise questions for me. As the alcoholic in my own family, I can say that I would try to turn the tables any which way I could (and lie about it) to keep on drinking.

Best wishes to you whatever you find and whatever he does.. Mean time, congratulations on your 8 years of sobriety!

DG

[mayday]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

Hi Graciella, I tried Antabuse about a year ago and was still able to drink (unfortunately), I didn't suffer any nausea but did get a red blotchy rash that appeared mainly on my neck and face, I also got an extreme feeling of heat (what I presume a hot flush would feel like!) unfortunately it did not deter my drinking, hence didn't take it for more than a couple of weeks, Good Luck

[johnnyh]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

Hi Graciella,

Havn't heard about this supposed immunity. Take Antabuse myself and has a reaction/experience last year when I drank a week aftere having taken my last Antabuse. Red, swollen face, itchy, feeling awfull, etc.

Main thing though is that it's extremely dangerous and harming to the liver if drinking on the Antabuse.

So I'd firstly check he's really taking them. Let him take in front of you then. Secondly, if he does take them, drink on them and doesn't get a reaction, Stop taking the Antabuse. They are obviously not helping and doing what they're supposed to be doing BUT damaging.

[BellaC]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

Hi Graciella,

I tried Antabuse about a year and a half ago. I don't remember what the dosage was...I just remember that I did "test" it and I had the same experience as Mayday...flushed, blotchy skin and a hot feeling. I agree with everyone else...if he's actually taking it and still able to drink, he needs to stop taking it ASAP because it's not a drug to play with and it clearly isn't helping him anyway. On the other hand, if he hasn't actually been taking it and you start watching him take it, it might be a great tool to help him. It certainly wasn't a magic bullet for me.

[more2life]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

Hi Graciella,

Are you watching your husband take the pill?? My friend thought her husband was taking antabuse, because he told her he was..well, it turns out he was a big liar. He switched out the antabuse in the bottle with asprin and was taking asprin. If I were you I'd check the number on the pill and check his mouth after he took it.

[mayday]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

Hi Graciella, just a footnote (and I do not profess to be qualified to give advice as my journey is yet so young...) but what I am starting to really understand, is that it is not the alcohol, it is the way we are thinking (I think Sheri put it very well in a post somewhere about 'junkie thinking..') and you know if he has that sort of thinking (as I did) you could watch him take the tablets and he will still find a way to drink...so my feeling is that he maybe one of those people that does not suffer violent symptons, but at the end of the day..HE has to want it so bad to do it, and if Antabuse is not working then change tactics..
Best wishes

[mayday]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

Just remembered ..one day when I was taking antabuse...had drunk, mowed the lawns, so when I came out in a rash and my heart was racing...my husband and friends put it down to being allergic to a certain grass and probably hayfever!!!

How deceitful the beast al is...

[Wonka]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

WHAT TO DO

:new: Hi very interesting hearing about antabuse....I was hoping that my doctor would perscribe this for me. I have hid(or maybe am just kidding myself) the fact that I drike too much wine and am looking to stop with as little discomfort as possible. I can go for about a week without drinking....but I wrestle with the thought all the time. I love it when I don't drink, so I don't understand why I do drink....and then don't remember the whole evening.....HELP

[K9Lover]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

Hi Wonka!
Were you able to get any answers to your Antabuse questions? I have been on it for about 4 months, so I'm happy to help if I can!
K9

[lil.michelle]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

Hi hun... I found a way to drink on antabuse (oh god, how awful do i sound, i'm soo ashamed BUT SOBER NOW YAY) Anyway, i found that by drinking a few mouthfuls a day for a few days which had no effect somehow managed to stop the antabuse working and then i was able to drink on it without getting ill or having anyside effects. Maybe he found that out too.

[mayday]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

Hi lil michelle,
I too could drink on antabuse..but DO NOT reccomend it...it is a dangerous place to go,
We are all different and if you find you can drink on it...stop taking it,
I'm sober now and sincerely wish I could have been one of those people who could take antabuse and get a severe reaction but not so...so needed to move on to another plan

[mollyka]

Is anyone IMMUNE to the effects of Antabuse?

Crikey, I drank after being off Antabuse for nearly 2 weeks and I thought I'd explode. Went bright red and temperature rocketed and heart beating like a mad thing - certainly would never risk that again!
Molly