Antabuse

[K9Lover]

I almost took my first dose of Antabuse this morning, but as I was looking at all the products I was using (body spray, hand soap, hair spray) I noticed that ALL of them contain alcohol, mostly as the main ingredient. I am so scared of the reaction between the medication and products, so I put off taking it until I can buy some alcohol-free products. Does anyone have any suggestions for shampoo, deodorant, facial creme, hand soap, etc.?
Thanks for any input!

[Lo0p]

Antabuse

You don't need to worry about any of that. Just don't let any ethanol go down your throat and you'll be fine.

I used antabuse off and on for years. It only worked when I really, really wanted it to, which was...almost never. It can help if you are vigilant.

[Doggygirl]

Antabuse

K9, two people you might want to reach out to right off the top of my head are Determinator and Marshy. I know that both of them used Anatbuse as part of their sobriety programs. Determinator is over 2 years sober now and Marshy is over a year I believe - can't remember for sure right now! (maybe closer to 2 years?) I know there are others who can give you encouragement and advice WINNING with this plan.

Strength and hope!

DG

[Marshy]

Antabuse

Doggygirl;831733 wrote: K9, two people you might want to reach out to right off the top of my head are Determinator and Marshy.

You called? :H

K9, I took Antabuse to kickstart some solid AF time and it worked very well for me. I carried on using all the same things - deodorant, perfume etc - but you should be able to get all that stuff without alcohol if you'd be happier doing it that way.

I understand you feeling worried about it. I was quite scared when I first started taking it because it seemed like a huge big deal. But it's FINE, honestly. I took mine first thing in the morning when my resolve was strong and it simply takes away the possibility of drinking and you can get on with your day. The only slight side effect I had was feeling a bit tired for a few days - a small price to pay!

Go on - pop the pill!

[K9Lover]

Antabuse

Thanks everyone!
I hated to sound paranoid earlier...I knew checking in here would be a big help, and it was! So here's to day 2 AF, and to "popping the pill" tomorrow morning!
Take care all!
:h

[Lo0p]

Antabuse

Taking it in the morning is definitely the way to go. It "releases" you from the burden of thinking those thoughts later in the day.

[santybury]

Antabuse

Prescription?

Hi K9
Can you get Antabuse off the internet? If so where? Good luck with it!

[K9Lover]

Antabuse

Hi Santybury,
I actually have a prescription for mine. I know a lot of people don't want that kind of medication on their medical records, but personally I am ok with it. I have never looked for it online, but I'm sure others around here have some experience with that.
Take care!
K9

[Greg]

Antabuse

Antabuse definitely gave my sobriety a good kick start, because once I took it there was no point in carrying on with all my usual "I want to drink tonight but shouldn't drink tonight" arguments in my head. Since night was always my drinking time, taking the Antabuse well before that time became fairly easy, and I actually started looking forward to it. I knew that once I took it, I was free of a lot of the alcoholic thinking for the rest of the day.

I tried Antabuse years ago during a separate sobriety attempt and failed miserably with it, because I hadn't prepared for sobriety in other ways. I wasn't using any other medication and I hadn't put things into my life to deal with either my alcoholism or my other issues. I know AA isn't everyone's thing, but at least some activities to do in place of drinking can help. Seeing someone to start working on emotional issues can help. Even solitary interests and hobbies can be helpful if social events aren't easy to find. When I tried using Antabuse without anything else in my life, I couldn't cope, and I deliberately stopped taking it so I could drink again.

I didn't get a bad reaction this time around from anything with alcohol in it, but it still pays to be careful. I have read advice about avoiding ALL products containing alcohol, and if this helps your peace of mind then it could be a good thing. At the very worst it can't hurt!

[brightlite]

Antabuse

I've taken antabuse before and you also have to be careful when eating out. I was with friends at a restaurant and ordered this wonderful she-crab soup. All of a sudden I was red and my heart was racing. My friends were really concerned. Come to find out they make the soup with sherry in it. It was scary and embarrassing and kind of turned me off from using it. I'm rethinking it now, but just be careful.