Increase drinking on NAL ?

[Shantao]

Hi everyone,

I started with NAL 5 weeks ago but after a 2 days honeymoon i actually drink more than before...i used to be able to get a few AF days in a week but not since starting NAL...it's like my alky brain is saying hey you can drink now so go ahead. I was hoping for a reduction not an increase so i'm a little freak out ! Did somebody else experience an increase at the beginning ?

[seeking1]

Increase drinking on NAL ?

Hi, Shantao.

This is not a medical opinion -- everyone's patterns are different, and I am just speaking from my own experience.

I have been on Nal for about 17 weeks. I've noticed at times an inability to distinguish between habit and craving, and at times my drinks per session have gone up to pre-TSM levels. Two things:

1. Don't overthink it. "Habit" and "craving" are both trumped by science if you're one of those for whom TSM works. If you're going to benefit from TSM, you'll see it as you repeat "Nal+1 hour+drink." That's it. It doesn't matter how you feel about it, same way as it doesn't matter how you feel about gravity.

2. It's impossible sometimes not to overthink it, especially at the beginning and when you're nearing "marks" like 3 months, 6 months, a year. So it's possible that you're more focused than usual on your drinking patterns right now and possibly drinking more because of that. (It's also possible that it's only now that you're actually counting drinks accurately -- A few folks around here noticed that they were drinking more than they thought, before!)

Hope this helps.

[debzi]

Increase drinking on NAL ?

Hello Shantao,

I tried the Nal method a few months back and i just could never get my levels of units down. I tried it for about four months, which I guess some people would have said were just not long enough to know. But I just felt as though I was getting no where. Now I am seeing a Phsychiatric ARNP and I am taking a low dose anxiety drug and Topomax at about 75mg so far. I will increase my dose of the Topa intil I decrease my drinking. I am already seeing some decrease, I only had one drink last night. Good luck to you on your journey. I believe we will all keep searching until we find it. Take care, Debby

[Shantao]

Increase drinking on NAL ?

Thanks Seeking1 and Debzi!

Seeking you might be right,i am over thinking it...I want this demon gone so bad that i was hoping faster result as alcohol is affecting my work big time (drinking on the job and calling sick ) and i am really scare of getting fired. Also drinking everyday is leaving me really depressed and isolated. Good news is i manage an AF days yesterday and whiteknokleling another one today...I'll try to do some reinforcement of healthyer activity like walking outside etc?

Debzi, good for you if topomax is working for you. It was working for me too until I start loosing my hair (I've lost about 50% of my hair and still recovering from that) They are growing back however but not fast enought for my sake! I also try Baclofen and could not go more than 90 mg as I was way too drowsy to function.( I'm a female 5'2'' 110 pounds ) so that why I put all my fate in NAL right now...I will also start the suplement to help me with the craving.

I'll keep you posted

[wort]

Increase drinking on NAL ?

Shantao,

This is very common with Nal. Imagine a rat that is conditioned to receive a treat after pushing a lever. Take the treat away, and the rat bangs on the lever frantically. Naltrexone is blocking your treat, so you are banging on the lever. It is OK - it probably means naltrexone is working for you. Hang in there.

Best,
-wort

[hoping4better]

Increase drinking on NAL ?

I was on nal for 10 months (TSM) and unfortunately it didn't work for me. But I do remember drinking more while on it. I think wort hit the nail on the head. The problem was, after 10 months I didn't drink less, either. But TSM has worked for many people, and at 17 weeks in it's too early to see results.