First, I should say that I haven't read the MWO book yet. I'm probably going to buy the downloadable version of it today and start reading tonight, though.
But, I spent a good portion of yesterday and today going through a lot of the info on this site. I am particularly interested in getting myself on one of these drugs that might help me w/my cravings/desire to drink.
I think maybe naltrexone (or vivitrol - naltrexone in a once/month injection) may be the way to go for me. Supposedly, this will remove the high associated w/drinking. In my case, I think that would be key to reducing or even eliminating my alcohol intake. I definitely drink for that 'high' and often times don't eat before or while I am drinking to intensify the high. I think if the high was not there, I'd have no motivation to drink. In fact, if I am out drinking and then do eat a heavy dinner, often times I give up on drinking after dinner because I can't seem to get the high back. I also don't like weak drinks (like beer or singles) because I can't get the same high. I only drink wine or double gin & tonics (really just gin on the rocks w/a splash of tonic). ANYWAY, so I definitely think I'm all about chasing this high feeling and so maybe naltrexone (or vivitrol) would be the best med for me because it would get rid of exactly what is my motivation to drink.
Campral sounds good, but seems more targeted towards reducing physical cravings. I'm not sure that my cravings are physical. I think they are psychological so I wonder if Campral would work for me.
Topamax sounds effective, but I don't like that I'd have to change my birth control (supposedly messes w/any estrogen or mixed hormone based birth control). The last thing I need to help my drinking is to get PG again! I'm sure that would just cause more drinking!!! LOL The side effects also sound more difficult. And, I'm not sure my doctor would prescribe it 'off-label' and I'm not willing to do this without the supervision of my doctor (because I also take medication for high blood pressure and don't want to mix meds without my doctor knowing about it).
Anyway, how did you decide what to try first? Seems like so many people just go straight to Topamax (based on the posts here), but why would you choose that when Campral and Naltrexone are more established and covered by insurance for this purpose? Just curious. Maybe Topamax is a lot more effective?
Oh, and I'm also curious if anyone has experienced issues of 'addiction transference' when taking a med that reduces/eliminates your ability to enjoy alcohol? I worry that if I don't have alcohol as my escape, then maybe I would turn to something else, but what, I don't know...
But, I spent a good portion of yesterday and today going through a lot of the info on this site. I am particularly interested in getting myself on one of these drugs that might help me w/my cravings/desire to drink.
I think maybe naltrexone (or vivitrol - naltrexone in a once/month injection) may be the way to go for me. Supposedly, this will remove the high associated w/drinking. In my case, I think that would be key to reducing or even eliminating my alcohol intake. I definitely drink for that 'high' and often times don't eat before or while I am drinking to intensify the high. I think if the high was not there, I'd have no motivation to drink. In fact, if I am out drinking and then do eat a heavy dinner, often times I give up on drinking after dinner because I can't seem to get the high back. I also don't like weak drinks (like beer or singles) because I can't get the same high. I only drink wine or double gin & tonics (really just gin on the rocks w/a splash of tonic). ANYWAY, so I definitely think I'm all about chasing this high feeling and so maybe naltrexone (or vivitrol) would be the best med for me because it would get rid of exactly what is my motivation to drink.
Campral sounds good, but seems more targeted towards reducing physical cravings. I'm not sure that my cravings are physical. I think they are psychological so I wonder if Campral would work for me.
Topamax sounds effective, but I don't like that I'd have to change my birth control (supposedly messes w/any estrogen or mixed hormone based birth control). The last thing I need to help my drinking is to get PG again! I'm sure that would just cause more drinking!!! LOL The side effects also sound more difficult. And, I'm not sure my doctor would prescribe it 'off-label' and I'm not willing to do this without the supervision of my doctor (because I also take medication for high blood pressure and don't want to mix meds without my doctor knowing about it).
Anyway, how did you decide what to try first? Seems like so many people just go straight to Topamax (based on the posts here), but why would you choose that when Campral and Naltrexone are more established and covered by insurance for this purpose? Just curious. Maybe Topamax is a lot more effective?
Oh, and I'm also curious if anyone has experienced issues of 'addiction transference' when taking a med that reduces/eliminates your ability to enjoy alcohol? I worry that if I don't have alcohol as my escape, then maybe I would turn to something else, but what, I don't know...
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