Naltrexone

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Unfortunately, the idea of using nalmefene to treat heavy drinkers who might not appear to be full blown alcoholics has not been well received by GPs generally. They don't see the need.



...



Something needs to change.

Hi, Molly. Nice to see you again!



That's so bizarre that people who have any kind of AUD aren't treated with medication. I've been reading a lot about the reasons why, mostly about the U.S. But regardless of the reasons (basically AA and the entrenched nature of the treatment industry) it is incredibly frustrating and it absolutely must change.

[guapo]

In the US, at any stage of Alcohol abuse, 12 step program is the recommendation.

I only found Naltrexone and TSM after Internet searching for something besides the 12-step that was recommended for me.

No Forums, counselors etc. It made sense so I did it.

The big issue is I see it, is that health professionals don't want to deal with alcohol abuse. The relapse rates are horrific, the success rates are low, and most would just like to push it all off into the AA system.

Therefore, mainstream medicine does not have much interest in using generic medications. If there were a drug company pushing this on a for-profit basis, it may be a bit different.

That's the deal for Nalmefene in the UK. I was able to get a prescription for some in England, The GP was clueless about both the medicine, and its use.

Will Nalmefene gain traction and use in the UK.? Too early to tell, but no medication has gained much traction in the US.

[guapo]

Yes, American.

GP was very accommodating, thought he might look into learning about it !

I had to pay full price for the prescription, which as I recall was about 120 Pounds for 24 tablets

[sunshinedaisies]

<Bacman prepares to shuffle to a new GP with a dodgy American accent and packet of Nal in hand>

LOL !!!

As an aside - I saw MY GP today - not the original one who gave me a years worth of nal, as she left, but the one that I saw in December to get another RX - the one I saw today was really interested in the Nal - and was as pleased as me at how well it worked. I told him that I had NEVER had a drink without first taking the nal at least an hour before - and he told me that he had had another patient who had said it didn't work - BUT they had not taken it properly - they had not taken it every time. He also said that he had had one other person have the same success as me. So I was pleased that at least ONE GP where I live is seeing the light re the naltrexone!

Hugs, sun

[Molly78]

Yes, American.

GP was very accommodating, thought he might look into learning about it !

I had to pay full price for the prescription, which as I recall was about 120 Pounds for 24 tablets

Did he charge you for the consultation as well? Being " very accommodating" usually comes along with private medical care rather than the NHS.

[guapo]

No charge, Molly

He did it as a courtesy. It was in Edinburgh

His office was dead quiet.

Anyways, the Nalmefene caused horrific side effects, bad dreams etc.

[terryk]

bump

[Mentium]

Nicknak - I see you started this thread and although I've looked around the forum I can't see anything else from you concerning how you are doing using the Sinclair method.

I ask out of interest but also because I am about to start on the same programme. Naltrexone ordered and awaiting delivery, book bought and in the process of being read etc.

I tend to think of TEOMA as my on-line base, even though I'm not all that active there, but would be great to hear how you are doing.

[sunshinedaisies]

Mentium - that is great to hear that you are starting naltrexone! It worked for me - took 11 months but I have NO desire to drink now at all ...... the amazing thing is, that I can if I want to - as long as I take a Naltrexone first! But I just don't want to - which rather ironically is annoying - sometimes I wish I wanted a drink! But I cannot force it .....I wish you all the best with it - just have faith and patience and ALWAYS take the Nal at least an hour before drinking.

Hugs, sun

[nicnak68]

Hi mentium
I initially started on naltrexone and had good initial results but then got prescribed Nalmefene from local alcohol services and it has had no effect.
I have been titrating back up on Baclofen and having reached 160mg I have hit my switch and have no desire to drink.
Today is day 8 alcohol free!

[Mentium]

Thanks for the responses. So glad to hear you have made so much progress Nicnak!

[YouKayBee]

Just to update I'm still AF, coming up to 3 years. I used TSM for best part of 2 years, acheived success and was able to drink socially from around 6 months of using it. The novelty of being able to do that was great, but after another 18 months I realised that (a) I actually no longer enjoyed alcohol and (b) I was starting to shovel it down chasing something that was missing.

So I decided to quit. I had started TSM because I was prepared to do anything to sort out my alcoholism, and drinking with nal was that anything, abstanence was better than drinking alcoholically, so I played it safe and just stopped. I do have moments of "ooh I'd like a drink", but I know the risks for me are far too high. I'm not prepared to EVER go there again.

[__serenity__]

bump

[NoraC]

Sunni - have you told your success story on this thread. :yay:

[YouKayBee]

I'm still AF, over 3.5 years now of complete abstinence.