Starting Naltrexone next week. Advice...

[Pkarp]

Hi, I am relatively new to this site. I have been on my own little journey to sobriety and have had many ups and downs. I am a 31 year old female who drinks exactly 9 beers each and every day (except those days where I can force myself to wait until after dinner, then it's just 5). I have tried Antabuse and Campral. Antabuse nearly killed me, mentally and physically I am sure. Campral did nothing at all, I drank right through it. I am now getting ready to start Naltrexone and was wondering if anyone had any advice for me. I really want to cut back or cut out my drinking completely. I have been drinking since I was 16. I started drinking every day when I was about 19 after a real bad incident (rape). I have been pretty consistent with my daily drinking, only stopping a few times. However these few times were for lengthy amounts; in 2003 I quit for six months by the help of outpatient rehab, in 2004 I quit for six months again by rehab, in 2005 I quit for about three months on my own will, in 2006 I quit for a year because I was pregnant, in 2008 I quit for a year because I was pregnant, and in 2009 I quit for a year because I was pregnant. So, it has been off and on, but pretty consistent when on.

Sorry, I realized I began rambling. I'm a little nervous. I am terrified that I will not ever be able to stop drinking so I am hoping that Naltrexone would be successful in helping me discover that drinking is not that good after all. I read that it blocks the wonderful feeling you get when drinking, and that is what I need. I use the drink as my comfort tool, I need the high taken away so I can replace my comfort tool with something healthy. If that makes sense. I will accept any advice, please. Thank you!

[Heavy Fuel]

Starting Naltrexone next week. Advice...

Hello. I take naltrexone following the Sinclair Method. Like you, I am a daily drinker. My unit counts were high: 80-90 units per week. I began TSM mid August 2011 and have strictly followed TSM since. My last week's consumption was 34 units. Tonight, I am AF, without any sort of craving, and I didn't plan to be. The alarm went off to remind me to take the pill an hour before I normally drink, and I decided I didn't want to drink. I have naltexone and a refrigerator full of beer. I am not drinking by choice, not anything else. My choice for the second time this week. Before TSM, I drank every day for about 10 years. So, there is hope.

I think the key to my favorable out come was following TSM strictly. I took half a pill the first two days to make sure I wasn't going to have negative side effects. After that, I have taken one 50mg tablet 1-3 hours before drinking. I drink as much as I want, but I track my units via a units of drink calculator and a spreadsheet. It's done wonders.

When I started, I was afraid. I was hung over. I didn't think there would ever be an acceptable way out for me. AA isn't my thing. Nor is antabuse. I read about the side effects from bacoflen, it wasn't something I was comfortable with. I read about TSM, and other than the time frame to control, it's everything the book said.

As another TSM'er noted, alcohol isn't ripped out of our lives, it's humanely removed. There is a behavioral adaptation we all must make regardless of method, and that is alcohol can't be the center of our lives. I have begun contemplating my second chance. The things I haven't done because I was afraid. Or hung over. As long as I take the naltrexone an hour before I drink, I can whenever I choose. That's empowering! I now know I can choose to drink or not to drink. In August, I was scared of what my life was. My life is almost mine again.

If you choose to follow the Sinclair Method, there is a forum devoted to that treatment regimen. I hope this helps you.

Take care!