Indifference

[Theodore]

Indifference

Well, I have reached the rather humble conclusion over the years that mosts GPs know absolutely sweet fuck all about alcoholism or any other mental illness. Which is very frightening. But they do know more than me about THIQ syndrome I must admit. Say what?

[Theodore]

Indifference

But as a long term chronic, heavy drinker, it would be very difficult for you to free yourself from alcoholism using TCM- I managed it, prior to my 6 months of sobriety, but I was a binge drinking at the time. But don't despair- you're still young. You haven't tried Baclofen yet?

[taw]

Indifference

I process AL like an opiate....... when I crave I physically, hurt ache fetal position must have AL to make it go away....

[taw]

Indifference

so technically Nal should have worked and did not...

[Theodore]

Indifference

Isn't that the same for most heavy drinkers though? It certainly sounds very similar to my withdrawel?

[taw]

Indifference

There is a difference between craving and withdrawl...I have no trouble with withdrawl...it is when the thought enters my head that I want to drink that is when the trouble starts

[Theodore]

Indifference

And In should add that it is impossible for the body process alcohol like an opiate. Sounds nice on paper, but it's not true.

[Theodore]

Indifference

Again- not disimilar to my experience. But in my not so humble experience cravings and withdrawel are linking- though you may expereince one more than the other.

[taw]

Indifference

You are the resident expert....I cannot wait to tell you I hit my switch on bac...against all odds...

[Theodore]

Indifference

By the sound of it there are very few odds stacked up against you. But even if it dosen't work, there are, as I say, many other options. Are you in the UK?

[Theodore]

Indifference

do you have problems with anxiety?

[taw]

Indifference

Um no we already discussed the anxiety...I do not have problems with anxiety...and no, I am in Chicago...

But boss just got bac....time for a meeting...

[Theodore]

Indifference

Good. Ok- so the fact that you don't have anxiety does not mean that bac won't work- the published scientific literature does not support this yet but it will- the effectivity of bac has more to with which system/receptor is behind your depression. Good luck- I'm off to a party

[Guest]

Indifference

Theodore;1128837 wrote: Again- not disimilar to my experience. But in my not so humble experience cravings and withdrawel are linking- though you may expereince one more than the other.

Various withdrawl symptoms make me want to drink, not sure if that qualifies as cravings though. I've only had this a few times but the shaking, jelly legs and fear as the alcohol wears off when I drank continuously for 6 weeks - I knew I'd have to have a drink and it was awful. Other times the insomnia between 3-10 days AF. Often I'd give in and drink just to sleep again.

Like you Theodore I recognise there are different systems at work behind alcoholism, and it can vary. For instance I'm pretty sure when I had periods of daily drinking, that was the mechanism that Baclofen would have worked with. Whereas the binge-drinking is more endorphin based. I also wonder if my baclofen experience actually somehow kicked me out of the daily drinking habit in the end. I don't know if it could do that perhaps and still have some effect now? Of course at the moment I'm working on the endorphin drive. I do use Baclofen for sleep at night, but have noticed I often feel groggy and depressed the next day when I do and I just want to curl up and hide in bed all day.

[Theodore]

Indifference

Yes- it's very possible that in some people several systems are defective.