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    AF Naltrexone Journey Begins

    Hi all,

    Am on my third day of 50mg naltrexone with no alcohol. Not sober yet because I am on librium.

    Been mostly lurking for a few weeks. Reading a lot of MWO in that time. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

    Am pretty much convinced that HDB is the ideal way to go but not ready to try that route just yet. If I am still searching in a couple of years will definately get onboard. As it is I have to stop now.

    Went to an MD who referred me to a psychiatrist. Last drink was monday night...saw the shrink tuesday. Was given four days of librium to help with the withdrawals and a three month supply of naltrexone to help with the cravings.

    The librium is helping a lot. Been thru a lot of detoxs and this one hasn't been too bad. This, the third day, has been the worst though. Headaches and very physically wobbly. Not really any sleep yet but have suffered insomnia a long time. Sweats and chills but they are getting better.

    Hard to comment on the naltrexone. How do you prove it is working? But can say...Don't remember less obsessive thinking about a drink in any previous attempt to quit. Have I thought about a drink? Yes. Have I craved a drink? No.

    A little about my drinking. Am 56, been a daily drinker for most of my life. Almost lost a great job a couple of years ago...did some inpatient rehab, some intensive outpatient care, and almost a year of AA. In and out of AA a couple of times since. About to lose my job again. On a work day, usually have 4-6 beers on way to work, maybe 6 beers or a bottle of wine to get me thru the day, 4-6 beers on the way home and then a pint of bourbon at night. Come the weekend, I really drink.

    On the way to the psychiatrists office, I craved...I needed a drink. That's really the last time. We will see how it goes.

    The MD who referred me to the psychiatrist said I needed to be in a recovery community. F2f AA wasn't right for me, so here I am. Thanks for being here.
    "If I don't go crazy, honey, I'm going to lose my mind." Son House

    #2
    AF Naltrexone Journey Begins

    with you brother

    monitoring your progress... im in the same boat... stay strong

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      #3
      AF Naltrexone Journey Begins

      Thanks Latin. Nice to be with people who really know what it's like.
      "If I don't go crazy, honey, I'm going to lose my mind." Son House

      Comment


        #4
        AF Naltrexone Journey Begins

        Bama -- congrats on getting started, and hoping it goes well for you. Why your reluctance to use HDB? I was on NAL for a year, and didn't hear my shrink saying six months ago that I should try HDB. Finally clued in about two months ago (see other thread), and am very glad I did, the SSEs notwithstanding.

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          #5
          AF Naltrexone Journey Begins

          Needed to be AF right away. Got about 18 more months while someone else has that power over me. If necessary after that time will go another route. Maybe this will work and won't ever need anything else. But truly comforting to know HDB is out there. Might not have to die a drunk after all.
          "If I don't go crazy, honey, I'm going to lose my mind." Son House

          Comment


            #6
            AF Naltrexone Journey Begins

            its all an interesting life my brother. my father killed himself when i was 13. alcohol helped but i think it was more vietnam. my dad's brother later died from heart attack. he drank also. so my grandfather was a lifer alcoholic died sober and hit by a drunk driver... go figure the irony. ...

            ive concluded, i dont want to die alone and i sure as hell lost a lot. but as long as i have a support system, i should be ok.

            best regards,

            latin

            Comment


              #7
              AF Naltrexone Journey Begins

              I used to have a plan for dieing alone. A variation on the LEAVING LAS VEGAS thing. Thought it was inevitable. No hope. No hope about anything. Not one thing. Failed every time I tried to go AF. And when I drink...it ain't a bottle or two of wine. now....some hope. Really think this nal, along with some other things going on, gives me a chance. And at some point there is the TSM I might have to give a shot. And again, it looks like HDB might be the ultimate answer. This is my sixth day AF and it's going pretty good.

              Shakes had gotten better, was doing really good...and a couple of hours ago trembles set in pretty bad. Took a librium, they didn't last long. Every extended detox seems to get harder. Hope this is the last one.

              There is an old chinese curse...something about "may you lead an interesting life." Now just hoping for some peace and quiet.
              "If I don't go crazy, honey, I'm going to lose my mind." Son House

              Comment


                #8
                AF Naltrexone Journey Begins

                Bama, wow... stay strong... i just joined this very recently and things you say..my goodness...such a reflection of me. i always thought i would die young... not really sure why now... much has happened in my life since my mentality... I was in the Marines for 8 years...and volunteered for everything... now that i am older... its like i am trying to catch up on what life has to offer...

                i cannot honestly say i have stopped drinking...but i have controlled it some...

                stay sharp....

                Latin

                Comment


                  #9
                  AF Naltrexone Journey Begins

                  Thanks Latin. Finishing up my second week AF. Am feeling pretty good, very positive. Dr. has me on some supplements as well as the nal. Nerves getting better but they'll never be rock-steady again. Spent 3 years in the Army back in the 70's..lot of drunkenness during that time too.
                  Tried moderation and harm reduction too many times. Don't know how many more successful detoxes I have left...gonna make the most of this one. Take care.
                  "If I don't go crazy, honey, I'm going to lose my mind." Son House

                  Comment


                    #10
                    AF Naltrexone Journey Begins

                    Everything is still cool here in recoveryville except a couple of days of intense anger in the middle of the week. No reason for it and no single target...everything made me angry. Worked thru it and am much better now. Neat thing was that the internal rage didn't lead to drinking or even thoughts of drinking. Am really starting to have stretches of several hours without any thought about alcohol...and that is pretty cool. But wow...every dream I am able to remember upon waking is about drinking.
                    "If I don't go crazy, honey, I'm going to lose my mind." Son House

                    Comment


                      #11
                      AF Naltrexone Journey Begins

                      I just want to wish you all the best at staying alcohol free. I started a thread about naltrexone while not drinking, so I'm interested in this too, and hoping it helps you.

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