Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

[gratitude]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

loop-brilliant post

man, thanks for that. excellent speech. i think bill w's agenda was to end the suffering of alcoholics with whatever works. i read that twice and saved it.where did you find that?
when i first went to aa all i heard were the drunkalogs and horror stories because thats what i focused on. probably kept me sober because i get well really fast in my head and i think " i got this, i'm fine" and back on the roller coaster. with a little seperation from alcohol i've gained a little sobriety and less anxiety. now when i go in the aa rooms i hear the few people that speak of "being present" and concepts of the ego.more of what i consider the "spiritual" aspect of the program. really interesting. just read tolle's "a new earth" and " 12 steps on the buddha's path". ah, i love science and spirituality and the convergence of the two. anyway, i'm babbling but really thanks for that post.:goodjob:

[beatle]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

Thank you Loop -- very interesting and eye-opening.

I wonder why most people involved in AA are not aware of this. Seems extraordinarily contradictory with what the AA legion preaches. (Especially considering that this was written over a half-century ago.)

[Lo0p]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

A friend forwarded the speech to me, I'm not sure where he got it. The Herbert Spencer quote you can find on page 568 of the Big Book, 2001 Edition 4. :H

Yes Anna, it boggles my mind. And these words are straight from the horses mouth. Try to bring that speech up in an AA forum and the best you'll get is :lalala: but more likely it'll be deleted and you'll be banned.

I once started a thread over on an AA board at activeboard.com about The Sinclair Method, it was discussed at length then summarily deleted.

Then three weeks later I went back and they were all discussing how "someday there may be a cure for our malady" but not yet. These people were delirious, I had already shown them all manner of scientific proof, which they refused to even begin to look into. Truly dogmatic...borderline psychotic.

[brightlite]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

Are you well rested though Lar Lar? You are doing AWESOME. Me...not so much. Still at 50mg, still drink about 3 glasses of wine every other day. That is way down in contrast to what I was drinking and where I was heading. I do want to be AF, but need a long stretch of NO Driving to go back up on the BAC. The driving at a high dose scares me. I really wish I could take a leave of absence, but in this economy...I'm afraid they would replace me. I know I need to buckle down and JUST DO IT! I'm going to try for 30 days come NOvember...."Just say NOvember"!

Lo0p, interesting post. Its funny how even in the Fifties when they say "men" I guess that meant men and women.

"When such an array of benign and cooperative action is in full readiness, it can, and will surely be, a great tomorrow for that vast host of men who suffer from alcoholism, and from all its dark and baleful consequences." "

[tiptronic_ct]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

brightlite;747056 wrote: I'm going to try for 30 days come NOvember...."Just say NOvember"!

Hey, Brite

My good friend Wavey has come up with the concept of No-Bender for the new month.

Judged by that criterion, you're already doing brilliantly!

Hang in there, OK?

[brightlite]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

Hey Tig,

We can make a combined effort "Just say NO-Bender"! eh?

[tiptronic_ct]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

brightlite;747073 wrote: Hey Tig,

We can make a combined effort "Just say NO-Bender"! eh?

We have a deal!

And see if you can work around those travelling times.

When I was at my switch-off dose, I downed three coffees before heading off to work. Before leaving the office to commute home, I avoided caffeine, but would have a bar of chocolate. The sugar & caffeine purists would probably slay me, but it worked for me.

I still use L-Glut every day. Seems to help with my blood sugar levels and minimise somnolence.

[brightlite]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

Tig,

You and I are on the same dietary plan. I usually drink about 3 cups of coffee when I"m getting ready for work and I do not drink coffee in the afternoon, but do eat some chocolate everyday too. I know it's all bad!! I want to be pure. (keep saying over and over to yourself) I want to be pure and free from addiction!

I am small and weigh about 120lbs. If I don't snack throughout the day, sometimes I get hypoglycemia. I take the one L-Glut tablet in the morning. I didn't realize it helps with blood sugar levels. How much do you take?

[Lo0p]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

My personal bac progress

I've been taking baclofen for 5 days now, the numbers in white are 10mg doses:


Prior to this my nightly average was 11-14 US units. A modest improvement no?

I am a very unusual case in that, taking this much baclofen this quickly doesn't even give me any side effects. A little wooziness but that's all. If someone else were to try this, I think serious, dangerous side effects would be very likely (do not try this at home!!!).

[Cinders]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

I usually don't weigh in on the AA thing except on the AA Weekly thread but I feel like I have to.

It is sad that so many AAers are "It's my way or the highway" in their thinking.

However, ALL THREE of the meetings I go to, many different people, there is no judgement about using medications to help with the disease. It is completely accepted. So, I don't know why you have run into this loOp.

In my home group alone, people use Campral, Naltrexone (albeit, for abstinence and I have explained the Sinclair method to them and, no, they don't want to drink to be cured, too much skepticism for that) and my sponsor knows I take Baclofen and how much it has helped me. (With the exception of my huge binge a few weeks ago.. sigh). She is all for it, "Whatever it takes, Cindi."

My sponsor also agrees with my doctor about me seeing a psychologist for my mental well-being. Many of my AA friends use counselors and psychiatrists.

I have learned to really like AA. I have learned to accept that a full fledged attack on this disease can only help. Spirituality is just one facet of AA. So is living life on life's terms, staying sober one day at a time, and caring and helping other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. Just like we do here at MWO.

I recognize there are many, many people who would never do well in AA and I thank God that steps are being taken by the medical community to continue to combat this damned addiction. I truly believe that someday there will be a cure. I hope it is in our lifetimes.

There are some members of the Sinclair group who deride the use of Baclofen, there are members of AA who deride anything except the 12 Steps. I am sure there are Baclofen users who deride using anything else. None of these people in anyway diminishes the methods employed as a whole. It just diminishes the people themselves.

btw, I am back up to my maintenance dose of Baclofen and staying sober. I also happen to go to AA meetings and enjoy my friends there. At the end of the day, all I want to do is live a happy and sober life.

I wish the same for all here, too.

Love,
Cindi

[brightlite]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

Hugs to you Cindi! Although I don't attend AA, I can see the benefits, however I did just post in another thread that between MWO an if I attended AA, that would be too much thinking about AL on a continuous basis. There is only so much time in the day and since I take BAC and my thoughts are no longer completely CONSUMED by AL, I want to focus on other things that bring enhancement into my life. I work, I exercise, I try to work on art projects, I am getting more involved in a few community groups that have nothing to do with AL. But as I have always said, what works for each person is as individual as they are and I don't put any method down.

I am so happy to hear that you are doing better and in the end, we all want to live a HAPPY and SOBER Life. You are an inspiration to many looking for any piece of hope that they can grab onto.

[tiptronic_ct]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

brightlite;747080 wrote: I take the one L-Glut tablet in the morning. I didn't realize it helps with blood sugar levels. How much do you take?

I'm not sure what tabs / caps you're taking, but I prefer the powder.

Suggestion: PM Beatle - she's a veritable treasure trove of info on supps. Also have a look at the Holistic Healing forum.

I take up to 18 000mg of L-Glut per day. Mostly less.

1 x 3g scoop in the morning, 1 x lunchtime, 1 x mid-afternoon, 1 x bedtime. More as needed.

L-Glut is usually touted as an anti-craving supplement. It did absolutely nothing for my cravings, but it has many other benefits.

[Lo0p]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

I've seen the other side too. A dear friend of mine is a 10 year 12 step veteran and she is very accepting of all of this stuff. And of course I would never even begin to think that the successful path she's chosen is somehow "wrong" or "bad."

She's an NA'er though and she tells me that I'd have a much easier time explaining this stuff to NA'ers than AA'ers. She also tells me that I'd be more helpful if I brought this stuff up with them one on one because when I go into a meeting or on one of their forums I am breaking their "traditions." I don't get it, I'm just trying to help.

Unfortunately most of my experiences are not like yours Cinders.

[beatle]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

As always, Cindi you are a voice of reason and inspiration.

You are also one of the few here who has had such a completely wonderful experience with AA, as well as an understanding and cooperative doctor.

We all rant and rave about doctors and AA based on our experience, but of course there are plenty of exceptions, and it is good to be reminded of that -- because maybe AA hasn't saved many lives, but it seems to have helped and to be helping a good many people out there.

The big difference is about the willingness to accept... accept different viewpoints, different experiences. I think we all need a little more of that (exept for Cindi, of course)

[beatle]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

tiptronic_ct;747104 wrote: I'm not sure what tabs / caps you're taking, but I prefer the powder.

Suggestion: PM Beatle - she's a veritable treasure trove of info on supps. Also have a look at the Holistic Healing forum.

I take up to 18 000mg of L-Glut per day. Mostly less.

1 x 3g scoop in the morning, 1 x lunchtime, 1 x mid-afternoon, 1 x bedtime. More as needed.

L-Glut is usually touted as an anti-craving supplement. It did absolutely nothing for my cravings, but it has many other benefits.

I agree with everything Tip said (except for the part about me)--

I think 15grams a day is a good level. Powder is best. I take 5grams at a time in a half cup water. It tastes fine. It should always be taken on an empty stomach (or between meals).

It also did absolutely nothing for my cravings, but it has many other benefits (that is a direct Tip quote that applies entirely to me).