Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

[Sake123]

I'm a long time heavy drinker, starting on baclofen today. Can I just go cold turkey or do I need to wean off alcohol. I had 8 shots last night. I have 6 to 8 shots every night for at least the past year....Just curious how I should quit. I need to do it soon..liver panel was not looking good and I'm very concerned! Thanks!

[kambob]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

I'll chime in, but others with loads more experience than me will be along soon!

I'm 56 days today, had my last drink on April 30th and started on Bac (and Naltrexone) on May 1st. So cold-turkey, with the help of some brilliant meds.

I'm on a really low dose (compared to many of the stories I read)....started on 37.5 mg per day, now on 75 (3 x 25mg). No major withdrawal symptoms, no major side effects (bit of tiredness mid afternoon, quickly gone) and best of all no cravings that can't be dealt with via a couple of MINUTES of distraction. Dunno whether I just lucky, or whether this combo of meds is just perfect, but whatever it does, it works!

Oh, and I was drinking > 1 litre of 14% wine EVERY DAY for the last eight years at least. Prior to that, I had the occasional day off. I'm 53yrs old, female, and digging being able to wake up in the morning without a mouth like the bottom of a cocky's cage, and a head that remembers going to bed last night!

kambob

[Sake123]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

Kambob....thank you SO much for chiming in! That's quite the success story! I keep reading of all these nightmare withdrawls and am scared. I guess I'll try it to tonight and see what happens. My dose is very low..only 30 mg a day. I am praying for a miracle.
Thanks!!

[kambob]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

I was panicking too Sake123! I was so sure that it was going to be absolutely horrendous that when nothing much happened it was a bit of an anticlimax really....I'd prepped family members to ring me or drop in every few hours (in case I was convulsing or dead or something) had emergency phone numbers all over the house, but it was all unnecessary.

Now that being said, I've read others' stories here that are a bit more harrowing, but don't for one minute think it has to be that way for you too. My story is testament that there are no 'rules' as such, and you might find it really breezy as well. By all means, have back up just in case, and as Guitarista advises, buy a roll of velcro, and stick your butt down hard and fast!

Whatever happens, it's worth it, oh GOD is it worth it!! (and this coming from an atheist!)

Good luck!

[spiritwolf333]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

Hi Sake123 -Take precautions (serious) when withdrawing from any medications -especially alcohol. Your intake does not sound that drastic -but you never know and i am not a doctor. That being said, all that I can add is that baclofen has been a miracle for me. I am three months new to the forum and baclofen and have absolutely zero cravings for alcohol. Never did I think that I would see this day in this light. I'm still adjusting to my alcohol free reality and I am able to do so without the nagging thought of "a drink would sure help me...bla..bla..). Be careful in withdrawing but if and when you do quit, baclofen will help make your life so much better. (BAC really does zap anxiety -if that is even an issue for you). Be sure to read and listen to the wisdom of the old geezers here on mwo. They KNOW what they are talking about.

[kronkcarr]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

Sake123,

Welcome! I drank a bottle of wine a night and my dr scripted bac for me starting at 30 mgs. I had no alcohol withdrawals. I titrated up slowly because of my dr. I did have side effects--odd sleep--up late, up early, constipation and a wonderful feeling of calm and feeling right with the world for the first time in my life. My bac journey has been relatively easy. Really all I dealt with we're the SEs going up and maybe worse going down to my maintenance dose. Seven months later all is better than well!

Read and read here and post your progress and questions. Good luck!

[bleep]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

A lot of it will depend on your personal history - have you had withdrawals before, and are you prone to it? That said, baclofen is effective as withdrawal medication, so it will help. In the study done, patients were on a dose of 30 mg's per day as a treatment for withdrawal, so perhaps start on that? The easiest way to see is to try, and if it looks like you are starting to experience withdrawal, then go the taper method.

Also bear in mind that this is not medical advice, in any way shape or form!

[Sake123]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

I want to first thank you all for your advice. I went alcohol free last night for the first time in I don't know how long. I'm doing ok so far. I'm also doing a liver detox diet so I'm on a lot of different stuff all at the same time. I do feel rather sleep at times...think that's the baclofen. So I feel sleepy, a dull head ache and don't feel like I'm really to leap tall buildings but feel better than some of my better hangovers.

I do have another question...my doctor only has this prescribed for 10 days. Is that the usual route or do people stay on this drug for long periods of time. Sounds like they do. And I would rather be safe than have to start over.

[ifulovelife2]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

It sounds like your doctor prescribed the baclofen to prevent withdrawal rather than as a means of quitting drinking. Either that or your doctor is an eejit.

[kronkcarr]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

Sake,

This isn't the way bac is taken for to stop cravings for alcohol. Ten days is a start. What will happen after the ten days? What did your dr say? How much are you taking daily?

[Colin]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

ifulovelife2;1523985 wrote: It sounds like your doctor prescribed the baclofen to prevent withdrawal rather than as a means of quitting drinking. Either that or your doctor is an eejit.

An eejit, lovely word. It's a long time since I've seen it or heard it. Thanks Iful.

[Xadrian]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

Colin;1524217 wrote: An eejit, lovely word. It's a long time since I've seen it or heard it. Thanks Iful.

Eejit

Hiberno-English* pronunciation of idiot**.

*English as spoken and written in Ireland, especially when referring to words and phrases peculiar to the Irish, whether they are of native or foreign origin.

**An idiot, dolt, or dullard is a mentally deficient person, or someone who acts in a self-defeating or significantly counterproductive way.

[Sake123]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

I'm taking 30mg a day. I will talk with her again today and ask her give me a prolonged prescription. So Kronkcarr - How long do you plan to stay on baclofen? I'm very new to this...sounds like this is just an ongoing thing? Thanks!

[Xadrian]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

Sake123;1524244 wrote: I'm taking 30mg a day. I will talk with her again today and ask her give me a prolonged prescription. So Kronkcarr - How long do you plan to stay on baclofen? I'm very new to this...sounds like this is just an ongoing thing? Thanks!

Let's say we have a chronic disease and as long as we take our medication, we don't experience the consequences of that disease. We are symptom free.

If we stop taking the medication, chances are we again will experience the consequences of the disease (I did). The symptoms of the disease will return.

So we possibly or probably have to take the medication (although on a lower dose as initial) for the rest of our lives.

[Sake123]

Starting Baclofen today...can I cold turkey?

Ok...good to know. I will speak to my doctor. By the way is not an eejit. She's actually quite brilliant - perhaps just not well versed in baclofen. Thanks for the advice.