Naltrexone Works!

[SlipperyPete]

Naltrexone Works!

Ukblonde;1148271 wrote: Nal blocks endorphins and I think I'm an endorphin junkie so figure I might be less up and down with Nal. My high from exercise and other things I enjoy such as music etc hasn't been affected though.

What I was thinking is that maybe nal at this point is less physiological and more psychological? I have no idea

[Guest]

Naltrexone Works!

SlipperyPete;1148280 wrote: What I was thinking is that maybe nal at this point is less physiological and more psychological? I have no idea

You are more or less right, over time that I've drunk on Nal I've found I don't get much out of it and yes I did find myself starting to think "Well if I drink I'm not going to get the same feeling, so what's the point?". It happened for me quite early on, it's a learned behaviour but unlike Antabuse, you've actually physically and mentally retrained - and that is what TSM is all about. With AB it's "Oh I can't drink I'll be ill", Nal more sort of "If I drink it's not going to do very much for me, apart from make me a bit woozy and very thirsty tomorrow". I have also noticed the burning cravings have gone away, sure I get the urge to drink but it's not that deep hunger that must be sated. So I'd say that something is occuring, more than just knowing I can't drink.

It has done something for me however during my 'spikes', but that hasn't overridden the majority of occasions when it's just been bloody boring to drink!

[Guest]

Naltrexone Works!

Nothing much to report apart from couldn't sleep last night, I'm too eager to get on with the day and finding it difficult to relax at night for some reason.

Didn't drink last night and my week looks something like this;

Sunday 1 glass of wine, half drunk, half poured away
Monday-Weds 3 days AF
Thursday 1 bottle of wine = 8.6 units stopped when I was fed up and wanted to go to bed
Friday AF
Saturday AF

I did think about going out yesterday for a drink, and was feeling very edgy for some reason. I took 50mg very early in the day incase I did have a drink, then another 50mg later in the evening. I know that's way over but I get scared I'll not be covered! Haven't kept a record of the day's I've taken Nal, it's definitely on the days I did drink and probably a couple of others including yesterday.

Weekly total 9.6 units and I didn't struggle very much to acheive this, so very pleased once again!

[Doggygirl]

Naltrexone Works!

UK - I am so happy for you that you have found a way that is working for you!

DG

[spacebebe01]

Naltrexone Works!

You sure do sound like your doing well at this, Im made up for you UK its great to hear success stories

[spacebebe01]

Naltrexone Works!

Whatever it is thats making life good for you is great, Im not a doctor but the doctors I have seen so far have been pretty crap. Here in Liverpool we do have aNHS Alcohol dependence clinic but for some odd reasons they wont take referrals from GPs only from psychiatrists who also oddly enough wont take referrals from GPs so how you get to go there is a complete mystery to me, I do love this site and everyone who comes on here

[Guest]

Naltrexone Works!

Hey Spacebebe

The red tape you have to go through, is amazing at times. That's why Dr C is so useful, you can get right up to a person who can give you a proper opinion/diagnosis without having to arse around.

Anyway been in a funny place recently. Most days I'm not bothered about drinking, have learned to get along without it. In fact sometimes I feel sick at the thought of wine, I'd rather have water or a soft drink. But then every now and then I'm gulping back a bottle of the stuff. Did have 1 glass with a meal this week, but if I hadn't been in drinking company I wouldn't have.

I'm thinking abstenance with perhaps the very, very odd glass or two is the way for me - rather than modding, or planning a session. I do not know if this is the result of TSM or not. I'm not taking Nal every day, but then again I'm not drinking every day.

Hmmmm.

[Guest]

Naltrexone Works!

Here I am promised update, found 2 minutes and a difficult internet connection so best make this snappy (especially since it's 3.30am and I need to sleep).

Well this week as I posted on Thursday has had me in an odd place. Sunday threatened to be a binge, but I felt sick and threw most of what I drank quickly up. Apart from this every other day this week I've not wanted to drink, and thinking about drinking or being under the influence just doesn't conjure up any pleasure at all. It just doesn't interest me. Tonight I had a social event, where it would feel better to join in so I did. I took 1 x 50mg tablet Naltrexone approximately 1 hour before I expected to have the first drink. When I did I drank slightly slower than the others, without much effort. Alcohole consumed was a bottle of beer with our chinese food, then around half a litre of wine spread out over a further 3 hours. I'm not craving, running up the walls or wanting any more and am reasonably alert. Zero side effects as usual from the Nal.

Feeling absolutely fine in myself and dealing with life as it comes, I've also made some organisational changes for my life - things I'd been meaning to do for a few years, this week too.

To sum up alcohol isn't bothering my life, I drink if it's appropriate but to be honest I'd rather have a glass of water.

[Guest]

Naltrexone Works!

Hey quick update, I've found myself no longer recording my alcohol intake. Why?Because most days I am AF. Last week I had 1 glass of wine on Tuesday with a meal, then drinks socially on Saturday. I've had nothing Sunday or last night either. I did get to a very pissed off/harassed-feeling point yesterday and thought "I'll show em, I'll get pissed" thing was the burning desire simply wasn't there, I merely turned around and got on with what I had to do. By the time I finished the off-licence was shut, and I had a healthy salad takeaway as my way of being 'naughty'.

Did oversleep this morning but that's another story.

[Guest]

Naltrexone Works!

I've had another 'spike' incident this week, once again was very worried about it but I am really hoping this is just the sort of thing Loop has referred to. Basically I was trundling along nicely, not bothering about drinking then decided I was going to get drunk. The triggers were all there one of which was the fact I filled myself full of caffeine trying to override the effects of a cold. Then I delayed/skipped a meal or two - old habit when I'm about to drink. Launched into some strong, speciality beers which just aren't my drink at all but wine actually turns my stomach when I drink it. The beer seemed to go down very well. Went back to the off-licence and then got a taxi to the 24 hour supermarket. I will add that on my return from the supermarket I went straight to bed without touching my purchases, just was ready to finish - but this was after 15 units. Enough to make me ill the following morning.

I did have slight urges to drink again later the following day but they have gone now. The thing I gain most heart from is that most days I really do not want to drink, and I am not taking Naltrexone on those days - only the ones I think I am going to have a drink.

So at the moment it seems if I drink socially, in company with Naltrexone I can control it without thinking (I usually actually get bored). If I drink alone, racing it and with all my triggers in place I lose control to a certain extent. I am therefore not sure if I should try going AF for a while, or just persevere. I suspect removing some of the triggers - like eating when I should, will go a long way to regaining the control in those other situations, along with the Naltrexone of course.

[KatieSmiles]

Naltrexone Works!

Hi Uk

You are doing great!

Interesting that you mention not eating as a trigger.
This week (14) I have made sure that I have taken my Nal with a decent meal wait an hour BEFORE drinking and my units have dropped in half! I was averaging 6 units per evening and this week I have been stopping at three with no desire for more.

Nal on, it really does work!
K

[Guest]

Naltrexone Works!

Thanks Katie

Well last night I had all the right conditions for drinking, tired and a bit naffed off and without having to get up early this morning. Bought a takeaway and already had some beer in. Took 50mgs Nal and started eating & drinking at just about the 1 hour mark. Ended up going to bed after eating around 75% of the takeaway, and 99% of the first bottle of beer.

I had wondered if I was in for another spike, but I'm not which is like "Yay!".

[Guest]

Naltrexone Works!

By the way, wrapped up in my own thoughts this morning I forgot to say I am very happy for you Katie. I know you didn't experience immediate success with Nal, but to halve your alcohol consumption like this now must be making a massive difference to your life.

I bet you are extremely pleased about it!

[KatieSmiles]

Naltrexone Works!

Thanks Uk
I am pleased for sure, but it's still very early in the game for me being that I drank myself to blackout every day for 25-30 years.
I do see definite progress and will continue to follow TSM until May 1 2012 which will be a full year. At that point I should be able to determine whether or not Naltrexone has done it's job. So far so good, .... one 50mg tablet 1 hour before drinking, it doesn't get any easier than that.

K

[jackied]

Naltrexone Works!

Hi all,

Been following this thread and others for a while now. Started on nal a week ago and maybe I am expecting too much too soon but have had no reduction in cravings or units drank as a lot of people seem to have from the start. Will continue on taking it one hour before drinking as I am determined to do something and am heartened by the success stories.

Also wondered about propranolol. I take 40mg once or twice a day. Would this make any difference?

And how do you measure your drinks? I tend to drink at home and trust me the measures are a lot different from the pub!! Plus the next morning I am lucky if I can remember going to bed never mind how many drinks I had. Sad I know.