Just started Antabuse

[Cassidy2]

Hi,
This week I started taking the drug Antabuse as I had no will power to niot have my standard few wines/ half bottle or week end full bottle per night.
This is day 4 and I avoided going to a wake for fear that I might have had a wine, which I am hankering for.
I am so cranky with myself for having to control my drinking with drugs.
I can hear my other self already telling me that I don't really drink that much.
In fact today I didn't take the quarter tablet that I am starting on so I would be able to drink on the week end.
I'm in conflict with myself .

[Samstone]

Just started Antabuse

Cassidy
Welcome!, glad you found us! First and foremost, you have recognized the need to deal with a problem. I think the first thing is to really assess the severity of what you're dealing with. Rule of thumb here seems to be take 30 to be totally alcohol free, then see where you're at. There are many folks here that use antabuse. There is a section of MWO that with using drugs to help combat booze. Here's the link to that:
Topamax, Campral, Baclofen and Other Medications - My Way Out Forums

another handy thing is the toolbox:
https://www.mywayout.org/community/f1...box-27556.html

Come often and post..... wander on over to the Newbie Nest, lots of support over there.
Sam

[gumtree]

Just started Antabuse

Hi Cassidy,

I'm starting to take AB today to do an AF May. I need a reboot. I use AB now and then for the extra support. April was a mess for me, I was back to daily drinking, when I'd prefer AF week days. So am aiming for May AF, then will see where I'm at......
No shame in needing some extra help with AB. welcome!!

[j-vo]

Just started Antabuse

Hi Cassidy,
Antabuse is a great tool for people to get those first weeks of sobriety in, and it creates that confidence that we need. So make sure you take today so you'll be safe from the poison this weekend and you can wake up and feel great on Saturday!

How about popping over into the newbie's nest and chatting with us there. Posting your thoughts and getting feedback, support and encouragement can do lots for us, especially going through a life change as we all are. Hope to see you there.

[Cassidy2]

Just started Antabuse

Thank you , though I have succumbed and am sitting here with half a glass of wine. After only taking a quarter tab on Tuesday and Wednesday ( now Friday evening) I am wondering if there will be a reaction.
Gumtree, I relate to you in that I'd like to be able to moderate my drinking , not stop. Will let you know if I have a reaction...bit anxious.
Thanks for support

[Samstone]

Just started Antabuse

Cassidy2
only you know you. There comes a time when you have to be honest with yourself and that doesn't necessarily mean any absolutes, I just mean taking a kinda private inventory of yourself in regards to drinking, whether you moderate, quit, take AB, don't take it, etc.
Hope you are doing better, let us know how you are
Sam

[Val]

Just started Antabuse

Hi, Cassidy. I am too like you struggling and trying to quit on Antabuse. When I first had it last year I was fed up with myself and I was so happy to start smth new. So I was on Antabuse for almost two full months and it was amazing. I didn't drink. It got much easier. I remember first week was very hard, but I got through it.
After those two months I decided I wasn't that bad of a drinker and started again. Here I am a year later, trying to quit again. This time I'm trying to do it without Antabuse. I've done some research and found out about this pill Camprall that helps with cravings and obsessive thought about alcohol. I'm still waiting for them to come and trying to stay sober before they do. Try to get n/a wine and stick it out this weekend. Maybe you will feel much stronger and can continue on Antabuse.

[skullbabyland]

Just started Antabuse

AAARGGGG I just had a long comment typed and accidently deleted it. AGGGGGRRRR

The gist of it- I've had the same experiences with AB that you guys have. There are other options, meds that are good alternate or additional tools. Check out the meds forum for more info.

I myself found success with pairing baclofen with antabuse.

Do some reading on the meds forum for more info.

A word of caution- Antabuse basically turns off your liver for upwards of a week, at least where alcohol is concerned.. That's what makes you so sick if you drink- no working liver to protect you. Keep in mind that if you play back-and-forth with antabuse, ("I can drink in a few days if I stop it now", etc) you're likely damaging your liver significantly. If you experience the sickness, short breath, flushed skin, that's you damaging your liver.

Antabuse is a heavy drug and shouldn't be used back-and-forth. People have visited the ER this way.

Again, there are other drugs such as baclofen that can help eliminate the cravings, that can be paired with antabuse if you so choose. If you do something to help the cravings, you have a better chance at not playing back and forth with drinking/Antabuse.

Best of luck- do more reading on the meds forum. What ever you choose, best of luck to you!

[Cassidy2]

Just started Antabuse

Well that's a worry

I thought I had a good tool that I could use to control the drinking through the week. I had no adverse reaction but am glad to know that I shouldn't be stopping and starting though now I have to make a decision , do I go on full time? I really enjoy my wines but was enjoying not having them through the week. I felt empowered, but liked the idea of still having a few on the week end.
My goodness this alcohol has such a grip and this is a half a bottle a day girl.....
:thanks:

[hadit]

Just started Antabuse

Cassidy, I drank whilst taking AB and finished up very sick and in intensive care. The docs thought I had a heart attack. That's what it felt like. FORTUNATLEY I am ok. It was the ab and al mix that caused a very bad reaction. In saying that, I have drank 3 days after ceasing the drug with no side effects. I certainly wouldn't drink the same day as taking the drug, it was a bad experience when I tried it! As far as stopping and starting the drug or staying on it is a personal choice. I have found in the past it to be a huge crutch, especially in the first few weeks of giving up the booze. Good Luck with whatever u decide.

[red67]

Just started Antabuse

skullbabyland;1658836 wrote: AAARGGGG I just had a long comment typed and accidently deleted it. AGGGGGRRRR

The gist of it- I've had the same experiences with AB that you guys have. There are other options, meds that are good alternate or additional tools. Check out the meds forum for more info.

I myself found success with pairing baclofen with antabuse.

Do some reading on the meds forum for more info.

A word of caution- Antabuse basically turns off your liver for upwards of a week, at least where alcohol is concerned.. That's what makes you so sick if you drink- no working liver to protect you. Keep in mind that if you play back-and-forth with antabuse, ("I can drink in a few days if I stop it now", etc) you're likely damaging your liver significantly. If you experience the sickness, short breath, flushed skin, that's you damaging your liver.

Antabuse is a heavy drug and shouldn't be used back-and-forth. People have visited the ER this way.

Again, there are other drugs such as baclofen that can help eliminate the cravings, that can be paired with antabuse if you so choose. If you do something to help the cravings, you have a better chance at not playing back and forth with drinking/Antabuse.

Best of luck- do more reading on the meds forum. What ever you choose, best of luck to you!

You are sooo right!!! I wish people would stop using AB in the on and off fashion to still keep drinking occasionally. These people are playing russian roulette and it isn't a game. If you are serious about quitting then AB is a good tool. If you want to still drink occasionally don't use this drug to play that game.

[freeby40]

Just started Antabuse

How are you doing? I just started taking Disulfiram this morning! Yikes!:new: