Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

[dixon]

Hi friends
I don't like to consume high dose of baclofen and wouldn't like to titrate up or down and want to take on flat volume like 20mg twice or thrice a day.Could any member advice or share your experience please? Does it helpful in reducing AL craving?
Many thanks,
Dixon

[Road to Recovery]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

Dixon,
On 60 mg per day (20mg x 3 times per day) I was able to reduce cravings enough to stop drinking. On 80 mg per day - I lost total interest in alcohol. Prior to bac, my every thought while I was awake was about AL - and FTR - when I first started bac I knew nothing about it and didnt believe it would help... That was over a year ago.

[coalfire]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

Well I have but I don't know how useful my experience would be in helping you to decide on your own plan.

I took lithium orotate and I found it really helpful. It helped me to calm down and it almost eliminated that moody/irritable/anxious/restless/pacing/antsy feeling that was driving me to drink in the evenings.

I still needed something as an add-on because I had been drinking for almost 10 years and it was still very difficult. I experimented and eventually chose Baclofen 20-25mg. It took 3-4 hours for me to fully feel the effect. It did help to relax me which is not suprising as it is a muscle relaxant. I eventually became strong enough to do without it although I have still a back up supply on standby in case I need it.

I took antabuse for high risk situations as well. I haven't taken it in a while but I expect to use it sporadically throughout the year as I deal with my "firsts" eg first wedding,first weekend away,first holiday abroad etc

I read a ton of recovery literature. Every week the postman comes up my path with the latest book that I have ordered from America/England.

I am highly motivated to stop drinking.

So you can see the problem in trying to decide if low dose Baclofen is useful.

Useful to whom and for what?

We all have different drinking patterns. We all might have different underlying reasons that have caused us to drink.Some people might have underlying personality disorders and/or mental illness that other people do not have. Some people may have dreadful/difficult life stressors that other people do not have.

I know we have had a chat in pm and my opinion has'nt changed. I think we have to choose something and make a start and try it. Other peoples experiences while highly interesting and useful will not tell us what our own way out will be.
People have to choose something eg
Baclofen
Naltrexone
Topirimate
Antabuse
Therapy
AA
rehab
moderation experiments
recovery literature
diet/excercise/supplements
and TRY IT.

If it doesn't work then try something else. Many people find that they have to use 2 or 3 things from the above list. I have used 4 in recent weeks.We have to change our thinking and some people find that they have to change their whole lives to remain sober.

I don't think recovery can ever be a spectator sport. You have been reading a long time Dixon which is good and useful but sooner or later you will have to make a plan and actually START your own experiment. Good luck.

[Chi]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

Coalfire, that was a GREAT post!

[Otter]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

My wife has tried a number of methods to stop drinking. She has also used Lithium Orotate and I think it is very helpful. It is supposed to help with neurotransmission. She also uses Hydergine which helps regenerate brain cells damaged by alcoholism and, in her case, stroke. She has also used Piracetam or Nootropil which is expensive but seemed to work. Nootropil and hydergine work together to heighten their effect in alcohol treatment.

Here is a link which mentions both:

Piracetam - Nootropil

Then there is vitamin therapy in programs like Seven Weeks to Sobriety which you can find at Health Recovery Center. My wife takes a daily dose of vitamins and minerals as per their plan. They also recommend both Lithium Orotate and Hydergine. She also eats lots of chocolate but we won't go there.

What you will find in this program is a system of detoxing off alcohol very rapidly and successfully without drugs but the long term program is not so good with them and they go back to recommending counselling etc and the use of things like GABA to deal with underlying anxiety etc. Very much like using Baclofen to calm GABA receptors.

The starting point though has to be Baclofen because none of the other treatments address the issue of why, biologically and chemically, people want/need/crave alcohol. The theory behind Baclofen is unique in recognizing the way alcohol works in the brain and how Baclofen is the only medication which can replace it. Without it you are going to have a much harder time.

Low dose can, IMO, work for many people. It is not the total daily dose which important but, rather, finding the dosage which eliminates any craving at a particular time and then keeping that amount of Baclofen in the system. This may mean you can take 10 or 20 mg every couple of hours and once you feel a sense that you are not craving keep an even dose day and night, as much as possible.

For some a small amount may help with anxiety and thus help with drinking. My wife tried it for months and had some success but relapsed constantly and it is only now that she has got the hang of it by taking 25 mg from rising and thereafter whenever she starts to feel anxious. There is no fixed level for everyone. The amount you take depends on how long you have been drinking, how strong the addiction is and how quickly Baclofen eliminates from your system. The important thing is to keep a dose which stops craving but does not have side effects that you cannot live with. The important thing is to keep the same amount in your system day and night.

Hope that has been of some help.
:welcome:

[Doggygirl]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

coalfire;1093298 wrote: I don't think recovery can ever be a spectator sport. You have been reading a long time Dixon which is good and useful but sooner or later you will have to make a plan and actually START your own experiment.

EPIC our little sobriety tart. Can I steal that and put that in my sig line?

DG

[PbarE]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

coalfire;1093298 wrote: I don't think recovery can ever be a spectator sport.

Wise words!

[Sunnyvalenting]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

Currently remain abstinent on 20mg+/- at bedtime. Abstinent for 15 months now. Slowly titrated up to about 110/d divided doses then slowly down to this maintenance dose.
I don't worry about alcohol any more. If I did I would increase the dose.
Sunny

[dixon]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

good news !

Road to Recovery;1093292 wrote: Dixon,
On 60 mg per day (20mg x 3 times per day) I was able to reduce cravings enough to stop drinking. On 80 mg per day - I lost total interest in alcohol. Prior to bac, my every thought while I was awake was about AL - and FTR - when I first started bac I knew nothing about it and didnt believe it would help... That was over a year ago.

Hi Road to R,
Its nice news for me as I am having 20x3 or 2 mg Baclofen when I feel risky and its 3rd day and experiencing low craving upon the use of Baclofen.So what I am thinking for low doses .Its giving unrest and headache for a couple of hours of its using ? how about you ?
Are you still taking Baclofen for a year ?
And how about your relapses in these days ?
Did you suffer from depression ?
These couple of questions answer would highly be beneficial to manage my Baclofen Qty.I am very much thankful to you .
Dixon

[dixon]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

Hi Coal fire you were becaming helpful from my initial entry in this forum .

coalfire;1093298 wrote: Well I have but I don't know how useful my experience would be in helping you to decide on your own plan.

I took lithium orotate and I found it really helpful. I dont know about lithium but taking anti depressant ! It helped me to calm down and it almost eliminated that moody/irritable/anxious/restless/pacing/antsy feeling that was driving me to drink in the evenings.Its good to hear that you are feeling well .

I still needed something as an add-on because I had been drinking for almost 10 years Its been 25 years years for me but 15 years almost daily ! and it was still very difficult. I experimented and eventually chose Baclofen 20-25mg. It took 3-4 hours for me to fully feel the effect. It did help to relax me which is not suprising as it is a muscle relaxant. How does it works could you share your own experience , in my case it gives some headache,no interest in drinking or eating like reducing hunger !I eventually became strong enough to do without it although I have still a back up supply on standby in case I need it.

I took antabuse for high risk situations as well. I haven't taken it in a while but I expect to use it sporadically throughout the year as I deal with my "firsts" eg first wedding,first weekend away,first holiday abroad etc Actually holidays are hell for me ! I used to drink for time pass but become senseless ,forget everything I have done while drinking , sometimes I leave the door opens,gas opens ,fire,dont remember what I have said to others etc....

I read a ton of recovery literature. Every week the postman comes up my path with the latest book that I have ordered from America/England.I too...but waste of time and money I think we should stick in one medicine like Baclofen or any which is widely accepted and forget to worry others ...

I am highly motivated to stop drinking.There is no way out other than this ,I am now leaving my wife and kids and leaving alone from next months.Terrible ..

So you can see the problem in trying to decide if low dose Baclofen is useful.

Useful to whom and for what?

We all have different drinking patterns. We all might have different underlying reasons that have caused us to drink.Some people might have underlying personality disorders and/or mental illness that other people do not have. Some people may have dreadful/difficult life stressors that other people do not have.

I know we have had a chat in pm and my opinion has'nt changed. I think we have to choose something and make a start and try it. Other peoples experiences while highly interesting and useful will not tell us what our own way out will be.
People have to choose something eg
Baclofen
Naltrexone
Topirimate
Antabuse
Therapy
AA
rehab
moderation experiments
recovery literature
diet/excercise/supplements
and TRY IT.

If it doesn't work then try something else. Many people find that they have to use 2 or 3 things from the above list. I have used 4 in recent weeks.We have to change our thinking and some people find that they have to change their whole lives to remain sober.

I don't think recovery can ever be a spectator sport. You have been reading a long time Dixon which is good and useful but sooner or later you will have to make a plan and actually START your own experiment. Good luck.

I have now decided to see the effect of baclofen first if not will use Naltrexone which is widely prescribed by doctors and got the approval from WHO to reduce craving ,I think it is proved and little risky.Please share !Many thanks !!:thanks:
Dixon

[dixon]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

Otter;1093520 wrote: My wife has tried a number of methods to stop drinking. She has also used Lithium Orotate and I think it is very helpful. It is supposed to help with neurotransmission. She also uses Hydergine which helps regenerate brain cells damaged by alcoholism and, in her case, stroke. She has also used Piracetam or Nootropil which is expensive but seemed to work. Nootropil and hydergine work together to heighten their effect in alcohol treatment.

Here is a link which mentions both:

Piracetam - Nootropil

Then there is vitamin therapy in programs like Seven Weeks to Sobriety which you can find at Health Recovery Center. My wife takes a daily dose of vitamins and minerals as per their plan. They also recommend both Lithium Orotate and Hydergine. She also eats lots of chocolate but we won't go there.

What you will find in this program is a system of detoxing off alcohol very rapidly and successfully without drugs but the long term program is not so good with them and they go back to recommending counselling etc and the use of things like GABA to deal with underlying anxiety etc. Very much like using Baclofen to calm GABA receptors.

The starting point though has to be Baclofen because none of the other treatments address the issue of why, biologically and chemically, people want/need/crave alcohol. The theory behind Baclofen is unique in recognizing the way alcohol works in the brain and how Baclofen is the only medication which can replace it. Without it you are going to have a much harder time.

Low dose can, IMO, work for many people. It is not the total daily dose which important but, rather, finding the dosage which eliminates any craving at a particular time and then keeping that amount of Baclofen in the system. This may mean you can take 10 or 20 mg every couple of hours and once you feel a sense that you are not craving keep an even dose day and night, as much as possible.

For some a small amount may help with anxiety and thus help with drinking. My wife tried it for months and had some success but relapsed constantly and it is only now that she has got the hang of it by taking 25 mg from rising and thereafter whenever she starts to feel anxious. There is no fixed level for everyone. The amount you take depends on how long you have been drinking, how strong the addiction is and how quickly Baclofen eliminates from your system. The important thing is to keep a dose which stops craving but does not have side effects that you cannot live with. The important thing is to keep the same amount in your system day and night.

Hope that has been of some help.
:welcome:

:thanks: Hi Otter, Your experience and informations are very encouraging I hope your wife will do best under Baclofen ! A big hugs .. The most interesting stuff I found with you is that you are helping and ecouraging your wife rather than leaving her alone !! You are the best .. I will update my Baclofen story .

[dixon]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

Doggygirl;1093526 wrote: EPIC our little sobriety tart. Can I steal that and put that in my sig line?

DG

Doggy , you were initial inspiration to me but now little unhappy not to see you in my post.Hope to get your nice advices as usual !
Dixon

[dixon]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

Chi;1093315 wrote: Coalfire, that was a GREAT post!

Hi Chi, of course it is heart throbbing ! How you doing ?
Dixon

[missyabby1]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

Hi Coalfire,

That was such a fantastic post. It has helped me enormously. A voice of reason and hope!

Thank you!

Missy

[dixon]

Has anyone experienced with low dose baclofen?

Sunnyvalenting;1093586 wrote: Currently remain abstinent on 20mg+/- at bedtime. Abstinent for 15 months now. Slowly titrated up to about 110/d divided doses then slowly down to this maintenance dose.
I don't worry about alcohol any more. If I did I would increase the dose.
Sunny

Sunny, what an optimistic experience !!!!
I am really hopeful with you ...
Dixon