Asking for Antabuse - the best approach?

[Kimberley]

Hi all,
I want to be prescribed Antabuse and I am aware that many people are loathe to prescribe it anymore due to the risks involved. I have read up on it and I really feel it is for me along with therapy and an alcohol service.

I have had a reasonable period of sobriety until about a year ago when I have become a serial relapser. Only when something upsetting or stressful happens. I do not want to drink anymore. At all. But I am impulsive and often grab onto alcohol again when something happens.

My question is (and I am in the UK by the way) - who would I approach about it: my alcohol worker, psych or my GP and what exactly would I say to them to ensure they believe I am serious about this and would not drink on it? (My GP already knows about my serial relapses as I have hospitalised several times over the past year).

What worked for you? I am desperate to get my sobriety back long-term.
Thanks guys,
K x

[Time to change]

Asking for Antabuse - the best approach?

Hi Kimberley, I found a great GP (had to go through a few) who said he'd be happy to prescribe Antabuse as he could see I was sensible and determined but also kept slipping like you. He wants me to attended see a AL specialist for an assesment this is something I had already arranged myself so he was impressed and could see I was serious. After I have that assesment he has asked me to come back and he will prescribe the Antabuse and also arrange counselling sessions. I think it depends on your Doctor as their opinions can vary widely. The last Doctor I went to see was pretty unfamiliar with addictions and felt unable to prescribe that particular drug, I was really down after that app but I went and made myself an app with my local AL service then went back and saw a different Doctor...Now my Permenent GP I'm happy to say. I would say go armed with facts and make a note of what you want to say to show how commited you are. Good luck hun xx

[Kimberley]

Asking for Antabuse - the best approach?

Thanks for that Time - I'm really glad you found a great doc in the end. Some of them really don't have a clue or are just downright unsympathetic to alcoholism. I live in London too so if I find mine is useless I might PM you to ask you for yours! K x

[Time to change]

Asking for Antabuse - the best approach?

Yeah, just pm me if you want to know more. It really is a bit of a lottery. Let us know how you get on xx

[NoraC]

Asking for Antabuse - the best approach?

I'm in the states. I hope that this works out for you. My regular Doctor wrote me a prescription for Antabuse just last week but she wants me to see a Psychiatrist to monitor my meds. I talked to my therapist about it today. I will continue to see my therapist but will just see the Psychiatrist occasionally for him to check on my meds.

[mollyka]

Asking for Antabuse - the best approach?

I dunno Kimberley - the first time I went to the doc about booze, he seemed to think the fact that I asked him for antabuse was good enough for him to show I was serious - he just prescribed it. I can't imagine anyone asking for such a drug unless they were pretty serious?
Molly

[Kimberley]

Asking for Antabuse - the best approach?

Hi Nora, I hope it goes well for you. I am determined to do it as I KNOW I won't drink on it.

Molly, I hope that is the case, but sadly I have a history of suicide attempts (only one fairly recently thank god) ands also a Personality Disorder, so this might put him off prescribing. I hope it doesn't as I am dead set on this now. I really think it's the answer,
K x