Baclofen for Acute Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

[37degrees]

Baclofen for Acute Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

bleep;1050150 wrote: All valid points you raise, I too cannot believe the laxity of the medical profession in this regard. 37, as usual, strips the issue bare though. 37, let's assume for a second that baclofen becomes the new gold standard, do you still not see a Nobel in it for Ameisen?

Bleep,

Nice to see your progress, and that you've come down a bit from your high .

If I were a GP or a psychiatrist, knowing every published article and forum posts on BAC, I would not prescribe high-dose BAC for a patient.

Currently, the physics and chem Nobels require some high intellectual feat, but the Medicine prizes seem to alternate between scientific achievement and clinical importance. For example, the latest one went to the guy involved in the first in-vitro baby - a mostly technical deed.

Then there is the politics. One of the nominees I worked with (way back when) was the obvious choice (deservedly) for the field the Nobel Committee honored. But, his lobbying probably didn't endear himself to the voters, and I am sure his rude handling of his university's IRB (research committee) got back to the Nobel voters.

Even if BAC becomes the treatment of choice for alcoholism with a 95% success rate , Ameisen won't get a Nobel. He published one case report (about himself) and has not conducted any scientifically-relevant studies since. He certainly has the credibility to prescribe high-dose BAC to patients, but he has elected not to have a clinical practice. From the websites of Cornell and SUNY, it appears he no longer is a "professor" in either institution.

I'd much rather see a good treatment for me and all other alcoholics, Nobel or not.

[I-want-to-be-sober]

Baclofen for Acute Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Ameisen has his sobriety, publicity, books, a lot of money and attention, useless patents on baclofen for addiction treatment... but he will never ever receive a nobel prize.

Baclofen is just the beginning... raises the interest of big pharmaceutical companies in GABA-B for addiction. And one or more patentable drugs, maybe GABA-B PAMs will make it in the end.

[bleep]

Baclofen for Acute Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Ok, thanks. It seems my understanding of the prize itself is flawed. Grateful to have the treatment, one way or the other.

For sure, it's a relief not to be stoned all the time!

[37degrees]

Baclofen for Acute Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

I-want-to-be-sober;1050175 wrote: Ameisen has his sobriety, publicity, books, a lot of money and attention, useless patents on baclofen for addiction treatment... but he will never ever receive a nobel prize.

Baclofen is just the beginning... raises the interest of big pharmaceutical companies in GABA-B for addiction. And one or more patentable drugs, maybe GABA-B PAMs will make it in the end.

Some of the responses (not yours, obviously) just reinforce to me that it is really useless to inject science or logic. The more unproven a remedy, the more evangelical the advocates.

[Otter]

Baclofen for Acute Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Home - Baclofen UK It is a work in progress.

37, yes, the world is very political. Obama got his Nobel why? Well, at least some people are talking about the idea. Maybe someone will make a movie. Less politics; more interesting. Please don't take everything I say too seriously. I don't expect he will get the prize for the reasons you say.

We have two very prominent doctors using Baclofen because it works. If people's lives are being saved it will have to be prescribed because patients will demand it and people have a right to life, at least where I live and that does not depend on whether a medicine has been through a trial or can be prescribed off licence.

Anyway, I think we have beaten this one to death.

[Greg]

Baclofen for Acute Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Otter;1050332 wrote: We have two very prominent doctors using Baclofen because it works. If people's lives are being saved it will have to be prescribed because patients will demand it and people have a right to life, at least where I live and that does not depend on whether a medicine has been through a trial or can be prescribed off licence.

Sorry to butt in here, but I just want to say that I agree with this statement, and also the way you said it. Hopefully more doctors will prescribe baclofen in the future if patients are able to say this politely, or if the doctor already knows they're alcoholic and have tried every other treatment...I also realise it shouldn't have to be this difficult to be prescribed a treatment for alcoholism that has a good chance of working.

[seeking_serenity]

Baclofen for Acute Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Otter;1050332 wrote: Home - Baclofen UK It is a work in progress.

Otter, that website is amazing. Who is putting the website together? We need something like that in the US!

[bleep]

Baclofen for Acute Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Thanks Otter, will have a look shortly.

[Otter]

Baclofen for Acute Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Hi,

It is 100% my effort, except it is mainly borrowed from other sources. I would consider changing the name on the home page to make it just an English language site and all ideas are gratefully received. I found that the interesting bits on this forum disappeared into the back pages so I have tried to take as many good bits as I could find.

I think the interesting thing is the connection with autism which suggests that a physical deficit or chemical shortage in the amygdala is at the root of a wide range of anxiety related disorders so that alcoholism is just a symptom of a physical illness. Tourettes is an anxiety disorder. Maybe that explains why people swear so much when they are drunk.

I think that saying to someone that they should stop drinking and deal with the underlying issues as a bit like saying to someone who is suffering from pain, "stop taking aspirin and deal with the pain." Alcohol is a crude medication for this anxiety disorder and not the cause of it. It has side effects...just like Baclofen but far worse and progresssive.

[amethyst74]

Baclofen for Acute Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

I really want to buy this. What is the dose foe maintaing abstinence once u detox?

[bleep]

Baclofen for Acute Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Hi amethyst,

Everyone's maintenance dose differs dramatically. Your best bet is to read a few of the threads around here, and gather up some information.

Good luck!