Hi after a while of not coming on here and stopping taking bac because I started a new job I have had to re think my priorities after drinking again, only for a few days so far but the cravings I started having a few weeks ago really did start driving me round the bend. Also my depression became worse and I started halucinating which I have done before and I think is due to stress. I have taken the day off work today, I decided to have a drink instead of going in but I think I have to leave the job anyway as last month I earned less than I would have got on benefits and cannot afford to pay my rent. I have some bac left over here from last time i tried and took 10mg this morning and will continue taking it but dont know whether I would be best trying nal either instead or as well because my attempts at be AF always seem to end up with bad cravings after a couple of months sober and a big bender. Really I just want some support and reasurance from anyone out there please.
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Good to see you back here Space!
I forget why you gave up last time, could you remind me? Best of luck this time around! -
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Hey Spacebebe
Thanks for posting and being so honest.
Nal, well yes it is an option and an option that if it works generally has a lot fewer - if any side effects, and it certainly doesn't affect my concentration or ability to do anything. Some people however have to go through a phase of returning to previous drinking habits, before experiencing success with Nal. That of course will for many affect their general function as much as high doses of baclofen would, or worse.
All I can say is that swapping Baclofen for Nal really helped me get my life back. The major thing for me was that I actually had to drink on it in order to follow TSM, that for me made me realise just how difficult abstenance had been for me, it was as if the pressure was lifted and that alone helped me enormously. I think it removed a lot of the guilt. I did have to believe in it because obviously friends and family very incredibly suspicious that I was now 'allowed' to drink.
If you have any questions about Nal I'd be more than happy to answer them, and I won't push it on you. It isn't for everyone and I think you also need a certain amount of motivation with it. I know if I sat back and let nal do the job I could quite easily drink through it, I still have to consciously be aware of my drinking but it's a heck of a lot easier than anything else I've tried. I also still have drinking urges, but they aren't like the cravings I used to get.
You are in the right place though and welcome back.Comment
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hey spacebob, welcome bac and great luck to you. i hope it goes better for you this time. i'll sound like a broken record when i tell you that small doses will help reduce any se's you might have. and that i've been reading a book called 'healing without freud or prozac', which is full of (scientific) information about healing using alternative methods, including healing depression. the latest and most striking i've read is how taking omega 3 in the form of fish oils has cured hard-core depressives of their depression. that's an important lube for our brains, and without enough of it -and most of us don't get enough of it if we don't live in a fish-hungry culture- we can stew in unfortunate states of mind for a lifetime. give it a whirl, and whatever else you think might help. and keep posting. as you can see, people here are very thoughtful and only want to help.Comment
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hi thanks for the replies I am still not sure what to do, i think my family have thrown out my bac so have no meds, i will stay on here, i came of the bac last time because of starting a new job and side effects so am quitting work cos thats not working outComment
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Does anyone know the success rate of nal? I heard it was really low.
The unexamined life is not worth living
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Murphy I've heard the opposite - as high as 78%, but that was under clinical conditions. There have been estimates on the TSM forum, I'll have a root around. From what I've seen biggest problem is people giving up on it when their drinking spikes again.Murphyx;1148068 wrote: Does anyone know the success rate of nal? I heard it was really low.
Here is a quote from Wikipedia;
Evidence of efficacy
Evidence for this treatment was originally published in 2001 in a study entitled "Targeted Use of Naltrexone Without Prior Detoxification in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: A Factorial Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial".[5][6] In this study, patients were divided into four groups. The first received naltrexone and was given counseling to encourage moderate drinking. The second received placebo and was given counseling to encourage moderate drinking. The third received naltrexone and was given counseling to support abstinence. The fourth received placebo and was given counseling to support abstinence.
Although all groups in the study experienced a decrease in drinking, the group which received naltrexone in combination with moderate drinking were far less likely to relapse into heavy drinking than the other three groups. In the 32 week run of the study, 27% of those who combined drinking with naltrexone had never had a relapse to heavy drinking, compared to 3% for those who combined abstinence with naltrexone.
Roughly a quarter of the participants of the study went completely abstinent and stayed that way. Overall, four-fifths of the participants reduced their drinking to at or below healthy drinking levels. In three- and five-year follow up studies, roughly half of those who benefited from the program continued to take a dose of naltrexone before drinking. For all those who continued the program, there was zero incidence of relapse.
The Sinclair Method is used extensively as an outpatient treatment at The Contral Clinic in Finland. To date, they have treated tens of thousands of patients with a success rate around 78%, with 25% reducing their drinking to complete abstinence[7] with little or no craving.[1] The effect of opiate antagonists on addictive behaviors has also been demonstrated for gambling[8] and kleptomania.[Comment
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I have just spoken to dr jonathen chick and have arreaded to book a consultTION WITH HIMComment
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Great news. Hope it goes well!spacebebe01;1148074 wrote: I have just spoken to dr jonathen chick and have arreaded to book a consultTION WITH HIMComment
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If it is to do with baclofen, be aware that he only goes up to a 100mg's, which is not often high enough for indifference.
And I'm glad I'm not the only one in the world who sometimes hits the CAPS key instead of the "a"!Comment
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Bleep I think Spacebebe is interested in Naltrexone. Yes he will only prescribe to 100mgs for Baclofen, which is the limit in this country, not sure if any UK Drs are prescribing over this outside of research. All I know is that they all appear to stick to BMA (British Medical Association) guidelines with everything. A lot of regulation and accountability here you see.bleep;1148082 wrote: If it is to do with baclofen, be aware that he only goes up to a 100mg's, which is not often high enough for indifference.
And I'm glad I'm not the only one in the world who sometimes hits the CAPS key instead of the "a"!Comment
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Hi UK - I'll send you a PM, I don't want to derail Space's thread...Comment
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Hi dont worry about derailling my thread Im happy to hear what everyone has to say. I do want to see Dr C about nal but also want ask him about my depression which he is okay with. I have the ?200 to see him but my mum said she would lend me the money for the train fare and has now let me down, am not sure whether to drive up there or what, I really dont like driving on motorways after a car crash I was in and get panic attacks now.Comment
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Do you have a friend who could drive you?Dr C also encouraged me to have a friend there too, of course they don't have to go in with you if you don't want them to!spacebebe01;1148771 wrote: Hi dont worry about derailling my thread Im happy to hear what everyone has to say. I do want to see Dr C about nal but also want ask him about my depression which he is okay with. I have the ?200 to see him but my mum said she would lend me the money for the train fare and has now let me down, am not sure whether to drive up there or what, I really dont like driving on motorways after a car crash I was in and get panic attacks now.Comment
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As UK says, a friend will help. How much is the train? Either way, the sooner you see him and start on a form of treatment, the better!
Good luck Space, we are rooting for you.Comment
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