Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

[I-want-to-be-sober]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

I agree that opiod antagonists should be taken if one is going to drink. Nevertheless I doubt people who take naltrexone daily will unlearn pleasurable behaviors and I would consider that relatively dangerous.

[Lo0p]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

Lo0p;733989 wrote: Here is a study they're currently doing on combining naltrexone with baclofen for alcoholism:
Combination of Naltrexone and Baclofen for Alcohol Dependence:A Pilot Study. - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

They've designed it all wrong, of course. On both counts, proper nal protocol and proper bac protocol.

This never ceases to confound me: WHY WOULD YOU SPEND ALL THE MONEY AND TIME IT TAKES TO CONDUCT A RESEARCH STUDY WITHOUT SIMPLY READING THE STUDIES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN DONE?

Garbutt is an idiot. I could have spelled out to him the results of this study back in Oct. '09 when I posted this.

I felt like writing a letter to him then, in fact I think I did once. Reading this this morning just makes me want to puke. Another 2 years and $500,000 down the drain.

[edostan]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

I-want-to-be-sober;1069280 wrote: I agree that opiod antagonists should be taken if one is going to drink. Nevertheless I doubt people who take naltrexone daily will unlearn pleasurable behaviors and I would consider that relatively dangerous.

If you still believe that, then you haven't listened to that Dr. Sinclair interview yet.

When you do something pleasurable like have a nice meal, or have sex, natural opiate like chemicals are released in your brain, providing you with a pleasurable experience -- a kind of high. Naltrexone blocks the receptors for those chemicals, therefore blocking the pleasure you receive from the behavior. So, yes you would unlearn those behaviors. That is why it could also work for binge eating or gambling addiction. Whether you "doubt" it to be true, or "consider" it to be dangerous, that is how the chemistry works.

So, take 20 minutes and educate yourself (listen to the Doctor). Or, go with your feelings.

Good luck.

Jeff

[I-want-to-be-sober]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

If it was that simple a major and often occurring side effect of daily treatment with opioid antagonists would be depression and severe anhedonia. But that's not the case. I understand that in theory it might make sense that people on naltrexone can't enjoy sex, good food... their lives anymore. In reality that's not true.

I really don't want to "fight" about this topic. Like you I think naltrexone should just be taken when one is going to drink.

- Sober

[Lo0p]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

edostan,

There are many people over on The Sinclair Method boards who've used the stuff for a very long time and understand the theory but do not believe it applies to them.

Nick is one case that comes to mind. He is now cured and exercises daily. He did so throughout his treatment and reported no loss of interest or extinguishing of that particular behavior. The same was true for sex, for him. There are others as well.

You should go and check out The Sinclair Method boards if you haven't had a chance to yet. That and many other topics are discussed there at great length by many people who all understand the theory and also have a great deal of experience. There are a lot of people reporting successes there recently!

Try not to use such strong and demeaning verbiage when talking to a peer. It doesn't reflect very well on yourself.

[edostan]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

It's too bad that you apparently can't bring yourself to listen to that interview. If you did, you'd understand what I'm talking about.

I don't wanna fight either. I was never asking you to listen to my feelings or opinions. I asked you to listen to Dr. Sinclair, a man who is responsible for a method which has cured thousands of alcoholics and turned them into "normal" drinkers with naltrexone.

http://m.podshow.com/media/77/episod...12-03-2006.mp3

My last post here. Sorry to be combative.

Jeff

[Lo0p]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

sober,

If you are taking it daily you are making a mistake. I would then also highly recommend you go to The Sinclair Method boards to learn about the proper protocol for taking naltrexone. If it was prescribed to you by your doctor then it is most likely that he gave you incorrect instructions. You should always take it only before you drink.

I haven't looked back into your posts so I don't know if this is the case.

[edostan]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

Lo0p;1069363 wrote: edostan,

There are many people over on The Sinclair Method boards who've used the stuff for a very long time and understand the theory but do not believe it applies to them.

Nick is one case that comes to mind. He is now cured and exercises daily. He did so throughout his treatment and reported no loss of interest or extinguishing of that particular behavior. The same was true for sex, for him. There are others as well.

You should go and check out The Sinclair Method boards if you haven't had a chance to yet. That and many other topics are discussed there at great length by many people who all understand the theory and also have a great deal of experience. There are a lot of people reporting successes there recently!

Try not to use such strong and demeaning verbiage when talking to a peer. It doesn't reflect very well on yourself.

Yes, I've read through those forums. And what you related about exercise is true, but I doubt anyone is taking the drug one hour before they exercise as is indicated for drinking or opiate abuse. They are doing the exercise within the 30 some-odd hour timeframe in which the method suggests not doing other pleasurable activities, probably at least 12 hours after. But if you read back, my original post said to take it only before you drink. I feel that that is the most important thing. Just taking it every morning and trying not to drink would be ineffective.

I agree and apologize about what you describe as "demeaning verbiage". I disagree that it was demeaning, but it was too strong and direct. It is not my thread, so I should behave myself.

Jeff

[I-want-to-be-sober]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

I don't use NTX anymore, because baclofen works great for me. A long time ago I was prescribed 50mg NTX daily, my experienced Pdoc said I should take 100mg as needed (before drinking) instead.

My only point is that altough taking opioid antagonists daily is incorrect it doesn't make people "unlearn pleasurable behaviors" and doesn't make them depressive & anhedonic.

I think if a person can stay sober for weeks or longer with baclofen, but sometimes has relapses with loss of control, then taking an opioid antagonist before drinking might be a wise strategy.

[divagirl]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

Im in Dallas and saw a specialist Psyciatrist for addictions. Ive been taking campral for about 6 weeks. Did nothing. He put me on oral naltrexone for 2 weeks while they ordered the vivarox (sp) which is naltrexone in a shot givin once a month. I asked about bal and he said he does give that to some patients, but wants to see how I do first. Im to take it everyday, first thing in the morning, not just when I want to drink. Just food for thought

[craving]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

divagirl;1069927 wrote: Im in Dallas and saw a specialist Psyciatrist for addictions. Ive been taking campral for about 6 weeks. Did nothing. He put me on oral naltrexone for 2 weeks while they ordered the vivarox (sp) which is naltrexone in a shot givin once a month. I asked about bal and he said he does give that to some patients, but wants to see how I do first. Im to take it everyday, first thing in the morning, not just when I want to drink. Just food for thought

yes thats the old way of dealing with Naltrexone ... sadly so many psychaistrist never update themselves :upset:

read about The Sinclair Method please

[divagirl]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

I dont want to drink at all. So then whar?

[I-want-to-be-sober]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

I think opiod antagonists mainly help with drinking less, because they reduce alcohol's euphoric effects. IMHO they don't help so much with drinking less often.

The Sinclair Method is a more promising approach.

I don't understand why your Pdoc orders Vivitrol for you. It makes sense for homeless alcoholics who have bad compliance with oral naltrexone, but if a person takes the drug regularly or when needed I see no point in Vivitrol shots.

-Sober

[alexan]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

Is this really the only thread on a possible combination of the two approaches??

I could swear I saw another one yesterday written by another zealous beginner who wanted to hit the ground running -- but slowly

Btw: I also think that Naltrexone should only be used prior to drinking as per the Sinclair Method to "train" the brain. I was initially very confused as to this because different people were saying different things to me on chat etc *(its been a 48 hour learning curve for me)* but the book is finally here and it makes complete sense. However, I feel that if you are just starting out, it couldn't hurt to build up a little bit of tolerance by easing on to a 12.5mg Nal dose for a few days, as my body took two days to build that up. I just ended going this way only because of mere lack of information, but I'm glad I did, because I did have some crazy side-effects that are only just susbsiding.

Now for the second round with the Bac! Now I'm starting titrating up on Bac -- and only really plan to use Nal when I drink.

[alexan]

Baclofen and Naltrexone combined !

FOUND LOOP's OLD POST

Loop, I just found an old post by you -- but that's because I'm specifically going through all your posts to track your regimen and I'm trying to match it because you had a Gym routine very similar to mine and so your Bac regimen probably makes the most sense for my lifestyle, -- and guess what I just found this following invaluable post by you -- its just that the title doesn't say anything of the combo so its hard to find and I probably would have missed it if I wasn't reading up on your posts.

So everyone looking for this title NALTREXONE / SINCLAIR METHOD / BACLOFEN approach, please see Loop's old old post here as an example:
https://www.mywayout.org/community/f2...ays-38663.html

but I'm very intrigued by Murph's progress in an eight-day period -- I'm wondering if I could hit the "switch" that quick and at that lower dosage. (its funny how quickly I learned and caught up on all these terms! )
:new:
:thanks:
:goodjob: