Baclofen after being AF

[TooCurious]

Hello,

I'm relatively new to this site and to the forums, although I have been looking around for some time before creating an account. I'm writing to see if anyone has started Baclofen after being AF for a while. I've currently been AF for a little over four months, but I still have difficult cravings and trouble keeping my mind off of booze. I am a reluctant member of A.A., but praying to something I don't believe in and being forced to practice things that go against my very nature seem impractical. I'm only in A.A. because, while it sucks, it's better than dying drunk.

That being said, I have been reading all of the journals and studies related to Baclofen and its efficacy for the cessation of alcohol cravings. I am most definitely an alcoholic ('round the clock drinker, 1-liter or more of hard liquor daily), and know that alcohol is extremely detrimental to my life and well-being. However, I am also addicted to alcohol and we all know that the mind-games can be incredibly persuasive. I am thinking about taking Baclofen in low doses (30-40mg/day) in an attempt to relieve my cravings. Any thoughts on this? Titrating up to the high doses mentioned sounds difficult and potentially harmful, so I'm hoping that because I've been AF for a while now, it will successfully stifle my desire for alcohol (at least to a more manageable level).

Thank you all for the information you provide here! I've enjoyed reading all of the threads and articles so far, and would greatly appreciate any advice/feedback people have about my potential endeavor.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Baclofen after being AF

Congratulations on the AF time, TooCurious. I hope you spend a lot of time feeling good about the commitment you've made.

I know of several other people who have started baclofen when they have been sober. I don't readily recall how successful they were. I believe that it is much easier to take, and find success with baclofen if you aren't drinking. I didn't do it that way, though.

I can say with a bit of certainty that setting limits on how much or for how long isn't necessarily the best way to use this medication. Were this a perfect world, I think I would encourage people to take it slow, expect progress (not perfection. haha!) And keep the goal in mind. It IS possible to live without craving, or even the thought of booze. It's hard to believe if you haven't ever experienced it, but it is absolutely true.

Hope you can continue living AF, and start to really enjoy it.

[Lostinspace]

Baclofen after being AF

Hi TooCurious :welcome: Congratulations on four months AF! And yes, as others have already said, baclofen can definitely be helpful for those who have already quit drinking. You may very well find relief from cravings at a lower dose, given that you've been AF for so long and have already been using other means of dealing with cravings. But I second what Ne suggested - that you don't go into it with a dose limit in mind. You never really know what it's going to take to become craving-free until you try it. It's a lovely way to live, though, to be both AF and happy/not constantly struggling

[StuckinLA]

Baclofen after being AF

Congrats on the AF time!

I started on baclofen after 30 days AF, and in the next 30 days made my way up to 150mg/day. That was a really magical place for me. A little tired and zoned out in the afternoons, but otherwise feeling very good and positive about life.

I never wanted abstinence, though. So when I got to 150 and felt like I didn't really "care" about alcohol, I decided to test it and drink. Started having problems from there - many problems - but did ultimately reach indifference at 240mg/day. Long story after that, too, but it's been written elsewhere.

[TooCurious]

Baclofen after being AF

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Palladium - In regards to your question, I plan on self-medicating at the beginning until I find a psychiatrist willing to prescribe Baclofen. Even then I may supplement my prescription with other methods of acquiring Baclofen depending on the dose I've been given.

Yes I completely understand not setting a limit for myself in terms of "max dosage" or some set time-frame. It's just that I have a pretty rigorous course load at the university I'm attending, and I'm afraid that possible side effects may interfere with my work. For that reason I plan to increase my dosage very slowly in an attempt to avoid problematic SE's. I was thinking of following the schedule for one of the medical studies (can't remember the name) at 15 mg/day (5/5/5) for the first 3-5 days, 30 mg/day (10/10/10) for 7 days and then increasing my dose by 10 mg every 7 days. Do any of you think that this is too slow? Any advice on a titration schedule would be appreciated.

StuckinLA - I totally understand not wanting abstinence. Part of my brain wants to test the waters at some point too, but I'm pretty sure that's what a craving is in the first place. I've read some of your story - in fact several of the stories by now - and I think that if people continue to find relief from alcoholism through Baclofen these stories need to be consolidated and published. But then, I'll wait for my own experience before I start treading those waters :-)

Thanks again!

[spiritwolf333]

Baclofen after being AF

Hi TC -great job -alcohol free for FOUR months!!!

I am sorry that you are still addicted to alcohol.
Surly, baclofen will help.

[Samandkatharine]

Baclofen after being AF

Hi TC,

I have a friend on this board who went AF for 30 days while titrating up on baclofen. She switched at 200mg or somewhere around that. She tested the waters around there and did not enjoy the experience! She enjoyed a few months indifferent and then got pregnant! She's due in January.

Sam

[TooCurious]

Baclofen after being AF

Well now I'm in a tricky situation. I told my A.A. sponsor about my wanting to take Baclofen, and he said that if I did he would no longer sponsor me because I "wouldn't be sober anymore and therefore wouldn't be able to work the steps." He thinks that because it's a muscle relaxant that it is equivalent to simply switching addictions. Does Baclofen produce an enjoyable high? Is it even addictive?

I've always placed science and fact above ideology and faith, but I'm just in a weird place because while I don't love A.A., I tend not to do so well without it. Perhaps it's just the social element, or some sort of placebo effect related to attending meetings and feeling as if I'm taking the right steps to stay sober. However I want to use Baclofen to supplement my sobriety and prevent relapse, and to use my experience as a way to help other alcoholics if my use of Baclofen proves effective. The last time I went to the hospital to detox, my B.A.C. was .51. I will die if I fall back into drinking like that.

Anyone else have experience with the conflicts of recovery programs and the use of medication to help treat alcoholism? Also, can anyone comment on how slowly to increase my dose in order to avoid unbearable SE's?

[Lostinspace]

Baclofen after being AF

Baclofen does not make you high and is not addictive. It does cause physical dependence, as many medications do. Once you've been taking it for a while, you can't just suddenly stop taking it without risking going through a withdrawal syndrome similar to what alcohol withdrawal is like. That said, it is not at all addictive in the sense of having cravings for it, escalating use, etc.

I'm not sure what to say about the sponsor situation. I remember back when I was going to meetings that some people were much more open-minded than others in regards to using medications. Is it possible for you to find another sponsor or would that cause too many hurt feelings? Sorry I don't have a better answer.

As far as increasing the dose, it's very individual because some people are more sensitive to side effects than others and need to take it slower. Here's a prescribing guide that can help guide you: http://www.sciencedomain.org/downloa...MR7069_1.pdfet

Good luck to you. Let us know how it goes.

EDIT: Crap! That link I gave doesn't seem to work. Try this one - https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/59463672/Prescribing-Guide-for-Baclofen-in-the-Treatment-of-Alcoholism-Don.pdf

[Roadside]

Baclofen after being AF

TooCurious;n2375057 wrote:

I've always placed science and fact above ideology and faith, but I'm just in a weird place because while I don't love A.A., I tend not to do so well without it. Perhaps it's just the social element, or some sort of placebo effect related to attending meetings and feeling as if I'm taking the right steps to stay sober.

Although AA does tend to rely heavily in 'trust in God', I do believe they do it in and this spiritual aspect does help people: gives them a sense of purpose. A LOT of AA goers share your views on science based - mechanisms of why I desire to drink- and I firmly believe it is the community support, as to why we all seek these groups out. Being held accountable does one well- and it is ok if you have let your accountability down.; haven't we all. Continue to give the best that TooCurious can give, nothing more is expected. You will still be a part if the community, you will still be OK. You are still important.

Positive thoughts your way...