Hi

[Chrysalis1]

Thought I would introduce myself, This seems to be a lovely welcoming community with lots of useful information. Like everyone, I feel absolutely miserable with overdoing it every night, probably my husband is too, and I feel angry that it is not made common knowledge that there are perfectly safe medications which can help. If I'd known, I would have asked for help a long time ago, only I thought the only option was AA which I couldn't face. I came across naltrexone in September and have been taking it with my doctor's support since then, but have felt no benefit at all. But, I am just reading A Prescription for Alcoholics - Medications for Alcolism, and am interested to try baclofen, so will talk to my doctor about that next week.

Anyway, can someone let me know where to find the Toolbox?

Thanks.

[Byrdlady]

Welcome aboard C1!!!!
The link to the Tool Box is in my signature line below!! We are so glad you found us. If you want some moral support also, try out the Newbie's Nest, we have folks in all stages of quitting! Don't be shy, feel free to ask us anything.....most likely, we've seen, heard or done it. Byrdie

[Chrysalis1]

Thanks for that Birdie, I'll have a look.

[Baclofenman]

What Country are you based in Chrysalis?

Regards


Bacman

[KENSHO]

Welcome Chrysalis... good on you for wanting to get off the merry-go-round. It's a much better life not being controlled by alcohol. Lots of support here, and lots of different types of threads and approaches. Glad to see you here!

[Eloise]

Just want to throwout a warm welcome to you as well Chrysalis!!

This site will help you a lot figuring out how to best tackle this problem. So, read, read, read and post away! There are lots of folks here with years of experience, knowledge and trick to rid yourself of this beast. You can quit drinking and it won't be as bad as you imagine.

[Chrysalis1]

France, Bacman.

[treetops]

Welcome Chrys.
There are different ways to tackle the booze monster and you will get lots of support and practical advice on the Newbies Nest. If you want advice about medications including Baclofen you could also try the Meds thread. There can be different advice there at times and it does get a wee bit heated. I see that you are based in France and I believe there are doctors there who know what they are doing with prescribing Baclofen - so thats an enormous advantage.

Some people have used Naltrexone to good effect but that can be a slow process - (Sunshine Daisies had great success). You have to take the Nal an hour before drinking.
All medications have side effects and this can be off-putting for many. Especially when at the same time as you are also trying to stop or greatly reduce your AL intake.
We all have different suggestions but the most important thing is not to give up and not to beat yourself up. The sooner you can deal with your problem, the better and you will get support here.

[Chrysalis1]

Thanks all for your support, it helps greatly to be in touch with guys like you. I'm doing a lot of reading both here and elsewhere so that I can be as well-informed as possible. Luckily my doctor is very supportive.

I want to try baclofen instead because I've been on naltrexone with no effect for six months, and have just been reading that it seems to work better with type B alcholics, rather than people like me who drink to relieve anxiety. Lets be honest, I'll try anything.

Chrys

[Baclofenman]

France, Bacman.

I know very little about French attitudes towards Baclofen apart from the fact they appear to be far more supportive to it being an aid to the alcoholic than here in the Uk

You may be interested in the French Baclofene forum that can be found Here in French and Here in English (behind google translation) - This is a Forum full of French information

Thanks all for your support, it helps greatly to be in touch with guys like you. I'm doing a lot of reading both here and elsewhere so that I can be as well-informed as possible. Luckily my doctor is very supportive.

I want to try baclofen instead because I've been on naltrexone with no effect for six months, and have just been reading that it seems to work better with type B alcholics, rather than people like me who drink to relieve anxiety. Lets be honest, I'll try anything.

Chrys

I am today 64 days sober and I owe this in the main part to Baclofen - Baclofen relieved me of my anxieties that were causing me to use alcohol as a tool to.....I dont know what really? - Forget? - I dont think so now on refection, it was to make me maintain a different persona - Away from the worrier - I had no idea why I had anxieties, I still dont - But I had them, I know now

I had a stroke in early 2015 and I tried to give up - Trust me I did and only after finding this forum and my friend Ne, I embarked on the start of my journey (note start)

As I said in the Uk GP,s do not like to prescribe Baclofen so I have to "import" it from abroad but the Doctors in France seem to be more liberal - Read up on some of the documentation to present to your Doctor - One thing I have found is that my GP is considering prescribing Baclofen on the NHS subject to me impressing her with case studies etc, because it has proven to work for me - I would never have got this reaction If I had not been "on" Baclofen prior to me informing her

Dont give up on your dream to be AF or moderate - It will make a change to your life, I certainly thought it would make me a recluse, a bore - You know what I mean - And yes I dont go out and get pissed any more, I watch the TV with my wife and read my kids stories in bed, lots of shit I never did before

Anyway - Keep us all informed on you Baclofen journey

Regards



Bacman

[Chrysalis1]

Thank you and bless you Bacman. I don't want want to be completely alcohol free, one of the reasons for moving to this part of France was to enjoy the good red wine here - I just want to be able to have a glass or two on occasion rather than the whole bottle and more. So glad baclofen has worked for you, and it is a relief that there may be help out there. Sooften I have felt there is only one way out from this and I am only stopped because I know what it does to people.

And I know what folk would say, what is her problem? Lovely husband, daughter, grandchildren - and yet I'm a mess. And just so tired, so tired, physically, mentally, emotionally, I have no fight in me any more. Hard to get through the day. I wake up feeling exhausted and my first words are "Oh God, Oh God". I smoke too and it just all feels too much.

So to know there may be a glimmer of light - well, it has to help.

Thank you.

Chrys

[SKendall]

How are you doing Chrys?