Weaning off or stopping Campral

[Crix]

Has anyone here had any experience with weaning off Campral?

My doctor recommends continuing for at least a year after AF. I'm not convinced she is that competent regarding the drug, as she gave me some other suspect advice about it, such as starting to take it while reducing my consumption. I've since read, this is not a good idea.

Anyway, I was drinking Vodka daily for the last 6 or 7 years. I would drink at least 1/2 of a 70cl bottle a night and for the last year or so it was at least a full bottle a night. Last month I called it quits and just stopped. I expected harsh withdrawal symptoms going cold turkey considering my level of consumption. Oddly enough, I really didn't have any withdrawal at all. A couple of nights with difficulty sleeping, but that was it. I'm now AF for a month and have had no cravings what so ever.

I would like to come off of the Campral, but I'm wondering if that is why I feel as good as I do. Has anyone stopped Campral and then been struck by cravings? For those who have come off of it, did you reduce slowly or just stop?

Any advice is appreciated.

[YouKayBee]

Weaning off or stopping Campral

I had several attempts with Campral and didn't find it had much effect, started drinking again so just quit it. I didn't feel reduction in cravings so it didn't make any difference to me.

Sorry not much help!

[COSGringo]

Weaning off or stopping Campral

Agreed. I had zero help from Campral.

The feedback I get is that it seems to help folks once they stop the drinking. Perhaps normalize their GABA levels.

Personally, I would continue to take it while you are clean probably for at least a few months. Some on this board swear it helped them when they came off the bottle. That could be true and it so, again stay on it for a while.

I never had any SE's from it so if you are not, that's my suggestion.

Of course there are all natural methods, too. Campral is probably cheaper if you have insurance. I believe it crosses the blood brain barrier. The supplement GABA does not from my understanding.

[YouKayBee]

Weaning off or stopping Campral

COSGringo;1494330 wrote: Agreed. I had zero help from Campral.

The feedback I get is that it seems to help folks once they stop the drinking. Perhaps normalize their GABA levels.

Personally, I would continue to take it while you are clean probably for at least a few months. Some on this board swear it helped them when they came off the bottle. That could be true and it so, again stay on it for a while.

I never had any SE's from it so if you are not, that's my suggestion.

Of course there are all natural methods, too. Campral is probably cheaper if you have insurance. I believe it crosses the blood brain barrier. The supplement GABA does not from my understanding.

I used it specifically during periods of abstenance, didn't feel anything.

[COSGringo]

Weaning off or stopping Campral

Thanks UKblonde for confirming what I've been saying. It confirms what a Psych I know has been saying. He's an expert on addictions of all types, well published and such.

He's not an MD but he said Campral is junk.

He does feel Vivitrol is a great med. I can't weigh in on that one. I noticed some folks felt it did not last the full 6 months so it was a failure as you cannot get another shot before that time is up.

[YouKayBee]

Weaning off or stopping Campral

COSGringo;1494456 wrote: Thanks UKblonde for confirming what I've been saying. It confirms what a Psych I know has been saying. He's an expert on addictions of all types, well published and such.

He's not an MD but he said Campral is junk.

He does feel Vivitrol is a great med. I can't weigh in on that one. I noticed some folks felt it did not last the full 6 months so it was a failure as you cannot get another shot before that time is up.

Oh the Naltrexone shot.

Heard mixed things, firstly because it's always in your body some feel it doesn't work as per TSM, because you aren't getting the direct association(or disassociation) between drinking and endorphin blockage. Also just done a quick search and found the people who make Vivitrol advising you to stop drinking before starting it. Sounds to me they are prescribing abstenance, and whilst some people find success with naltrexone this way it's only a few and will not break the addiction mechanism as TSM would.

Sorry for the diversion. I think Campral may be of assistance to those who are pretty strong in their abstenance, and just give them that little boost they need. The only side effects I've heard of or experienced were GI ones, and avoiding grapefruit helped minimise that one.