Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

[Spectrum]

I have a pack of Antabuse sitting around waiting for me from River. I am thinking of starting it tonight. I am considering using it as a tool for moderation - spacing out the times where I may drink. (I know there are many of you that believe lifetime abstinence is the only way. That's fine. You (and I) are entitled to your opinion.) I rarely have that physical alcohol craving that I used to have. I have been taking high quality vitamins, amino acids, etc for years now and very rarely have that crippling craving I used to have - but the HABIT, the habit is the thing I can't seem to fix.

It's part of who I am, what I do. It's disgusting. I am one of the healthiest people you might meet and yet, I drink. It makes no sense. I don't even want it. It's like I'm a robot. And my tolerance is huge - so obviously it's a huge unhealthy problem.

Every afternoon when I start making supper, out comes the wine. No reason for it other than it's 'what I do'. No one else in the house or extended family drinks. We don't go out to bars. We don't socialize frequently.

I read about a lady that takes (I think on Hams) one half (125mg), waits 5 days, drinks then takes another one half, waits 5 days and so on. I don't remember how long she's been doing this. I am thinking of waiting 7 days as I'd hate to have any of that left in my system...

I guess I'm looking for a little support. I am scared (PETRIFIED) to take that first pill and lose my normal routine. What if it is so hard? What if I get withdrawals - which I doubt because I can easily go all day if busy with a meeting or kid outing, etc. But what if? What will I do with myself? What if I get some weird side effect? What if I can't go to sleep? How will I relax? How will I calm my nerves? My inborn anxiety? How will I make a new me? :thanks:

p.s. I've been reading about Antabuse for months - all the horror stories, etc. (yes, I've had my liver function tested)

p.p.s. I was drinking until 11pm last night - you know, after all it was Christmas - a time to celebrate and drink even more right? (Disgusting) I know it's best to wait 24hrs so I would be waiting until 11, long past my normal bed time of 8:30. I am going to take some natural sedatives so I may just go to bed at 8:30 without the pill but I may take it if I can get my nerve up.

[Byrdlady]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

Spectrum;1603224 wrote: I have a pack of Antabuse sitting around waiting for me from River. I am thinking of starting it tonight. I am considering using it as a tool for moderation - spacing out the times where I may drink. (I know there are many of you that believe lifetime abstinence is the only way. That's fine. You (and I) are entitled to your opinion.) I rarely have that physical alcohol craving that I used to have. I have been taking high quality vitamins, amino acids, etc for years now and very rarely have that crippling craving I used to have - but the HABIT, the habit is the thing I can't seem to fix.

It's part of who I am, what I do. It's disgusting. I am one of the healthiest people you might meet and yet, I drink. It makes no sense. I don't even want it. It's like I'm a robot. And my tolerance is huge - so obviously it's a huge unhealthy problem.

Every afternoon when I start making supper, out comes the wine. No reason for it other than it's 'what I do'. No one else in the house or extended family drinks. We don't go out to bars. We don't socialize frequently.

I read about a lady that takes (I think on Hams) one half (125mg), waits 5 days, drinks then takes another one half, waits 5 days and so on. I don't remember how long she's been doing this. I am thinking of waiting 7 days as I'd hate to have any of that left in my system...

I guess I'm looking for a little support. I am scared (PETRIFIED) to take that first pill and lose my normal routine. What if it is so hard? What if I get withdrawals - which I doubt because I can easily go all day if busy with a meeting or kid outing, etc. But what if? What will I do with myself? What if I get some weird side effect? What if I can't go to sleep? How will I relax? How will I calm my nerves? My inborn anxiety? How will I make a new me? :thanks:

p.s. I've been reading about Antabuse for months - all the horror stories, etc. (yes, I've had my liver function tested)

p.p.s. I was drinking until 11pm last night - you know, after all it was Christmas - a time to celebrate and drink even more right? (Disgusting) I know it's best to wait 24hrs so I would be waiting until 11, long past my normal bed time of 8:30. I am going to take some natural sedatives so I may just go to bed at 8:30 without the pill but I may take it if I can get my nerve up.

I don't normally post in the meds section and let me begin by saying that I have not taken any meds at all and I have been AF almost 3 years. This is my opinion (and we all have one, like fannies!)

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, odds are it's a duck. I am afraid that you are one of us. As an alcoholic, we find ourselves drinking than for no other reason than, 'that's what we do'. That is the definition of ALK. I remember waking up from having passed out on the couch, seeing half a glass of wine or vodka in the glass and downing it before I went in to go to bed!?? Why would I do that? Because I was (am) addicted to AL.

Messing around with AB is not wise...it can make your head spin like a Stephen King novel. Experimenting with a drug such as AB can be DANGEROUS! It is meant to be a tool to use to QUIT drinking. And many people on these boards use it for that and drink anyway....that is the power of addiction. I know you began your question poo-pooing the total abstinence idea, but I hope you will really consider it. Starving this beast is the only way to live with it. Don't knock it until you've tried it, I always say! It is the single best thing I've done for myself in 30 years.

Take the 30 day challenge! See how it goes! I will guarantee you will feel like a new person! Just check out the Tool Box (link below) and you will read dozens of 30 day speeches that are inspirational. Do yourself a favor and get off this ride, there is no taming it, AL plays for all the marbles and it will win. Believe me, I tried to outsmart it. All the best to you! Byrdie

[StuckinLA]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

That would be pretty hard on your liver - AB isn't very liver-friendly. But there were some ladies on the topa thread (https://www.mywayout.org/community/f2...ion-44427.html) who did the 5 days sober, 2 or 3 days drinking with AB fairly successfully. For a while. Might want to pop on over there and chat with them.

[thomas m]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

I got hold of some Antabuse a while back with the intention of doing this. I took one pill and waited exactly 7 days before breaking. I was s**t scared sipping that first beer but ended up having 8. I left it at that as I knew I was likely to keep pushing the limit now that I knew how long to wait. I would have tried after 6 days the next time until I got caught.

I don't think 1 pill every say 3 days would be too hard on your liver. No more than drinking everyday anyway. I wouldn't use it as a long term plan as it could be a bit risky but if your really finding it hard to get an AF week under your belt it might work.

The fear factor along means that 1/2 a pill every 4ish days will have you covered but its a risky game as I already mentioned over time the AB will build up in your system and the time for it to leave your system might vary.

[Dave_]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

Everyone is different and the way your body absorbs and eliminates the drug from your system will be up to countless variables. If you choose to run the gauntlet, be very careful. If you mistime and get caught out, the best you can hope for is a day of blinding headaches, violent nausea and a complete world of pain. Half a tab takes about 36 hours to wash out of my system, but I know people that can feel effects for four days after. Just be careful.

[spacebebe01]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

Hi spectrum, as stuck said AB can be hard on your liver, but so is drink and I am no expert but think a 1/2 tab once a week and only drinking once a week would be less damaging than drinking every day, but then I said Im no expert. If you do drink too soon tho it can be dangerous as you know, even if you don't feel really ill with it it could cause damage to your liver mixed with drink so be very carefull if you decide to go this way.


There are a few peeps on the Topa thread who have done this with some success, for a while, Im not sure why they stopped but you could pop in and ask them. .

I too don't go for total abstinence, it doesn't work for me just makes me start craving which builds up and up and then eventually go on a bender. (I do have a bit of a problem with the total abstinence mob who wont respect that not everyone is them and that one size doesn't fit all. I spent many years having that message drummed into me and it nearly killed me.) But I now don't drink much at all and am finding great success with that. If I really want t a drink then I have one and find it quells the cravings. I accidentally found a med that has stopped me craving alcohol by helping my bipolar disorder. This was after years of trying and failing so just don't give up trying whatever you do.

[skullbabyland]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

Hi Spectrum- you still around? Haven't seen you return so not sure, but my two cents is to be really careful- sounds like you've done the reading so you know the risks, but in my experience it can be tough to judge when is safe to do a drinking session. I've had a handful of times where my craving mind said "I'm sure it's 'safe enough' even if I have a little AB in my system. I'll feel a bit uncomfortable, but I'll be drunk so that'll make me feel the discomfort less... plus, bonus, I get to drink".
I didn't realize at the time that I was not only feeling discomfort- nausea, trouble breathing, itching, skin turning bright red... but I was also doing significant damage to my liver. Like, moreso than just drinking heavy. It's like I was lowering my defenses (by lowering my liver's ability to deal with toxins via AB) but then attacking (by pouring toxins into my body anyway).
It took a while but my liver panels finally returned to normal- but my doc was definitely worried. As drunks, our liver's health really needs to be respected, as it's one of the most important organs keeping us alive.
Just my two cents-- whatever you decide, please be careful and reeeealllly respect the AB half life- personally, I would try to double the recommended wait time after taking AB.

[Spectrum]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

I did it!

I finally got up the nerve to take the pill. I probably never would have gotten around to it if I had not gained so much weight this year from drinking. It was very hard to cook dinner without my habit. In fact there were a few moments where it was truly hellish feeling. I cursed myself for taking the pill. All I could do was remind myself how disgusting I look in the mirror. I took a variety of calming amino acids as well as niacin and a good quality B complex for my nerves. Niacin is very calming. Well I made through dinner and what do you know I actually wanted to clean the kitchen. I stayed awake for TV with my family. I took some natural sleep aids with a variety of vitamins amino's and herbs. I slept like a baby I slept so so good. I am so happy today I haven't been this happy and I don't know how long. I am so glad I took that pill here's to day two!

[Spectrum]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

Calories

Oh yeah and I figure I saved myself at bare minimum 1000 calories last night. You think you're a bottle of wine is 700 cal maybe have a bottle plus some and then I ALWAYS eat more these days when I drink!!! That's a lb lost every 3 days with no effort!

[gumtree]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

hey Spectrum,
I'm using antabuse to moderate. Yeah, I know lots of people would come and bash on me for that, but my doctor and counselor are in the know and I'm getting my liver checked regularly. Tomorrow (Monday) will be my third Monday taking 125mg once per week. I drink on the weekends and abstain all week. Loving it so far!

[neophyte]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

I've been taking AB and doing some solid AF time, so far i think it helps with the healing much more than going back to drinking once a week or playing games with the antabus. maybe later on when i feel better ill try that.

I find i need to take AB mon/wed/friday to ensure i dont drink, im doing 250mg, but i think i might cut it down to 125, the pills however are awkward to break in 1/2.

ive tried drinking a few times, some times 2 days in a row. the first day might feel fine but the second day or if i drink again a few days later, my tolerance goes way up, nearly to where i was drinking everyday, the next day im a paranoid anxious wreck, just like when i was drinking all the time. it seems like alcoholism recovery is very much 1 step forwards 7 steps backwards if you drink. at least in the early days.

eventually i might do something similar, however i think doing it once a week is too much and at the begining of recovery, probably not a great idea. maybe once a month for special occasions.

[Spectrum]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

Good points.

[Spectrum]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

gumtree;1636037 wrote: hey Spectrum,
I'm using antabuse to moderate. Yeah, I know lots of people would come and bash on me for that, but my doctor and counselor are in the know and I'm getting my liver checked regularly. Tomorrow (Monday) will be my third Monday taking 125mg once per week. I drink on the weekends and abstain all week. Loving it so far!

. That's awesome! I'm going until the 17th and then back on until the 29th (with a week to get it out of my system before each date)

[StuckinLA]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

Haven't read the first page of this thread, so forgive me for jumping in.

Really I think the important thing is to define what you mean by "moderate." Because with a few solid alcohol free (AF) days during the week, then allowing yourself to drink on the weekends could very quickly turn into binge drinking. I mean, by definition. The medical literature is ridiculous on this point: binge drinking is (I think) more than 4 drinks in a sitting. Which for us is just having a drink, right?

Whereas true moderation would be having 2 or 3 drinks in the evening. I won't knock the AB and it seems to work well for some people here, but maybe check out Moderation Management. They suggest doing a straight up AF 30 days before starting, just so you can get used to not being wasted at night. There are also moderation threads here at MWO outside the meds threads.

I say this on my second Bloody Mary at 4pm, when I woke up at 3. So take it all with a grain of salt, of course.

[Spectrum]

Thinking about Antabuse for Moderation

Agreed. Setting aside these two dates was the only way I could encourage myself to take the first pill. I don't have any pre set plans after those dates for some time.