Antabuse implant

[Tahlula]

In today's paper....

SKIN IMPLANT TO DETER DRINKERS

"A stomach implant that makes drinkers violently ill if they consume
just a drop of alcohol has gone on sale in Australia.

Antabuse is designed to prevent alcoholics from drinking by triggering
unpleasant side-effects, such as sweating, nausea, palpitations and
vomiting. Inserted under the skin of the abdomen, the implant
releases a slow dose of the medication, to deter patients from drinking.

Until now, the drug, known generically as disulfiram, was only available
in tablet form.

The antabuse implant can result in serious harm or even death, if patients
continue to drink. It prevents the body from metabolising alcohol,
and causes a poisonous build-up."

WOW! I have heard of antabuse tabs, I think this is wonderful! No
missing out on taking the medication.

I would also like to add, that maybe we should be very careful
with self medicating, and buying prescription drugs online after
the tragic incident of Heath Ledger.

I would love to hear any Antabuse experiences,

Thanks

[howieinmaui]

Antabuse implant

antabuse implants stops alcoholism in it's tracks!

Aloha Tehula,

I had an antabuse implant in 2004. I tested it once, 9 months later. That was a mistake, worst hang-over I've ever had. Haven't drank since. 4 years now. If you know someone who just can't seem to get that first year under their belt, then they may want to consider it. It worked for me. For more info, tell them to go to: AntabuseImplant.com

joey

[Cinders]

Antabuse implant

Wow!! What a super idea.

No way to "not take the pill" no way to get around it.

I am sure it is horribly expensive but worth every penny.

A real life saver.

4 years sober is awesome!!

Cindi

[turmennebrat]

Antabuse implant

where did you go to have implant?

Is the Antabuse Implant done in the US yet? That would save me if I could have it done.

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Antabuse implant

SO interesting to see this thread tonight. I was JUST thinking TODAY, how smart a long acting antabuse would be. Too me, Antabuse is kinda like rehab, in that you just CANT drink, but I for one struggle with staying ON it. However, I was thinking a long-acting would make sooo much sense...and take AWAY the need for rehab.

Then poof, here was this thread. Wow. Thought I had a great money making idea LOL...

6 days AF today, and took my Antabuse this morning...yea

Beth

[lucky 2.0]

Antabuse implant

Only makes sense! Very interesting though- had not heard of it.

[calmia]

Antabuse implant

antabuse implants

I was very interested in the article on antabuse implants, does anyone know if this treatment is available in Australia? I would like a phone no. or email address.
thanks
:new:

[nancy]

Antabuse implant

bump

[petshop]

Antabuse implant

:new:
I had an antabuse implant inserted in Sydney - it failed. One week after implantation I tested it out - VERY slowly as I am well aware of the effects of antabuse. No result whatsoever except getting drunk, that is.

I am in the process of making a formal complaint about the clinic that provided the "service" which was very expensive and I have now been informed has delivered several failures. I believe health professionals should not offer a service (especially such an invasive one) without absolute confidence that the outcome will be successful.

I have been sober ever since though - 2 months now. Yay!!

[Greg]

Antabuse implant

Hey petshop I hope you don't mind me sending you a PM about your negative experience, since I am desperately considering an Antabuse implant and would appreciate any advice at all you can offer. Best wishes to you.

[veritas]

Antabuse implant

Antebuse implants used to be fairly popular in South Africa, but as far as I know, they are only available now under very special circumstances. I know that one has to sign a indemnity form before having one. I think that there have been too many recorded deaths.

I have taken ante buse tablets with reasonable success, my record is over 90 days. My problem is that I plan my relapses. I have tried drinking on ante buse and I really did think that I was going to die. I only took half a tablet every second day and it was more than adequate. I have tested it on more than one occasion and I can say that a half tablet would take at least four days to work out of my system.

I found that alcohol did not have the same effect for a while after a period on ante buse. Unfortunately, I kept testing it until I got back to square one.

In saying that, I am a very small person, plus minus 50kg. I also seem to be sensitive to most medications and have to be careful about what I take. Pity that it did not include Chardonnay.

[beatle]

Antabuse implant

I know this is a great solution for many people. I have taken antabuse pills on and off over the past 3 years. It is a great medication in that you have no choice about drinking -- also that you can decide in the morning that you don't want to drink, and then you take the pill, and then there's no changing your mind.

I played with it a little though... I figured if I took a fairly low dose, I could still drink one or two drinks, and stop when the negative effects appeared. This worked quite well, but it was a little inconsistent about how much I could drink, so I couldn't drink with others because the first reaction for me would be a very flushed face (we're talking lobster, or more). If I stopped then, it usually took about a half-hour or more for the intense flush to subside. This precluded social drinking, which really was my motivation in the first place.

I have reservations about the antabuse implant. For one thing, I also had side effects from antabuse, including skin rashes (looked like acne on my face) and headaches. I would hate to have that be a permanent condition.

But most important of all-- antabuse does not eliminate cravings; it just forces you to resist them. In the short run, this is good -- and much better than drinking, of course. But if you are so far down the alcohism road that you need antabuse to stop drinking, then the cravings will never go away with antabuse, and at some point after you stop, you will almost surely start drinking again. If you stay on it for life, you probably won't drink ever again, but you will not rid yourself of the cravings.

This is why I am so anxious to try Baclofen, which many on this board are already trying, pretty much all of them with at least some level of success. The point about Baclofen is it actually reduces (and supposedly completely eliminates) the CRAVING for alcohol. To most alcoholics, this is the burden they want and need to shed in order to live a normal life without alcohol.

On the other hand, I know many people have had success with antabuse, and, as they say: whatever works...

[brittzak]

Antabuse implant

Good and Bad

I realize antabuse has helped many, but I also have known MANY , including myself, that drank on top of antabuse. I know myself, and according to all medical research, you can DIE if you drink on top of antabuse. I would never implant this in my stomach UNLESS I KNEW I was fully ready to stop drinking. I am AF now, but there was a time I was not ready. I can see someone being encouraged by say a spouse and getting this implant and dieing. I see this as a good and a bad thing. If you are ready, I think it could be push to keep you from picking up when you are weak, but if you are not ready and "talked into this" I can see someone potentially dieing

[Popeye]

Antabuse implant

I've been taking Antabuse for six months and it's working a treat. In the early days, I considered coming off it for a few days, but I quickly realised that would be stupid. I'm taking medication because I have a drink problem which won't be helped by drinking. I feel ready to come off it now, but I have been advised to keep going, which is no great hardship.
I had one reaction when I ate a Christmas pudding that had some brandy in it that I was unaware of. I was very uncomfortable for a couple of hours. My heart was racing and I was short of breath. I went very red and blotchy all over my body. I had felt the same way lots of times before, when I was drinking. My body just couldn't process the alcohol quickly enough and I was suffering alcohol poisoning. Antabuse works by disrupting the way your body metabolises alcohol and any that is consumed remains raw and unprocessed until it's done it's worst and is eliminated.
An implant would take away the option of coming off the meds, but I'd worry about those who would still try to experiment. It's a dangerous game to play.

[veritas]

Antabuse implant

I think that it would be important to test the ante buse oraly before having an implant. I think Beatle has a very good point in saying that ante buse can have serious side effects. I would not like to have those side effects for six months. It also never stops cravings. Although I have some ante buse in my drawer right now, I have decided to try the Baclofen route which seems to have the most wonderful ability to work on cravings.

I was very surprised to read that Australia is promoting ante buse at a time when South Africa is being a lot more cautious. One of my doctor friends was telling me that she will not prescribe ante buse at all any more.