Naltrexone success story

[Mom21961]

Someone just posted this article on EOMA. I think people respond differently, but it worked very well for him and quickly. The upside is that your doctor may be willing to prescribe Naltrexone since it's approved for alcohol dependence.

Thanks Rusty for posting!

Naltrexone: Cure for Alcoholism? | The Fix

[Otter]

Re: Naltrexone success story

Yeah, but...

The New England Journal of Medicine published a study on Naltrexone, which has been approved for alcohol use in the US since 1994. The study was conducted by John H. Krystal, M.D., Joyce A. Cramer, B.S., William F. Krol, Ph.D., Gail F. Kirk, M.S., and Robert A. Rosenheck, M.D., for the Veterans Affairs Naltrexone Cooperative Study.

The result of the study were:

"We found no significant differences in the primary end point of time to relapse. The median time to relapse overall was 135 days. There were also no significant differences between the naltrexone groups and the placebo group in terms of the relapse rate, percentage of drinking days, or number of drinks per drinking day (Table 4TABLE 4
Outcomes of Treatment.). At 52 weeks, there were no significant differences among the three groups in the percentage of drinking days or the number of drinks per drinking day (Table 4)."

In other words, Naltrexone was found to be completely ineffective.

Similar results are not being produced for Nalmefene.

I am aware that people have used it and have stopped drinking. I think that's great. Ultimately, I have no interest in it because it didn't work for us and I haven't read any scientific material which is credible to support it's success, for someone like my wife. I think one can come off alcohol in any number of ways and if this is one that works for some people, then, hey, who am I, but the science behind it is dubious, while the science behind baclofen is not.

I don't really feel I want to contribute anything more on the subject. The whole message of Ameisen is being blurred and I am finding it difficult to put anything on any forum without a reaction and since I don't need this stress in my life, I think it's best to give this a rest.

[Mom21961]

Re: Naltrexone success story

They were not using Naltrexone with TSM so the study is pointless in this context.

[Rusty]

Re: Naltrexone success story

You are welcome, Mom2JTx3...I owe my sobriety to Nal and Bac.:happy2:

[Otter]

Re: Naltrexone success story

They were not using Naltrexone with TSM so the study is pointless in this context.

I know you want to encourage people to do whatever they think is best for them but:

The Sinclair Method | The Sinclair Method Step Three. Your Prescription for Naltrexone or Nalmefene
STEP THREE: YOUR PRESCRIPTION FOR NALTREXONE OR NALMEFENE

Obtaining Your Prescription – Drinking on Naltrexone or Nalmefene is ‘Good Medicine’

Chapter 1 described how naltrexone was approved for the treatment of drinking problems by the FDA in 1994 in the United States and subsequently by medical authorities in many other countries. Back then, the World Health Organisation endorse naltrexone, and the NIAAA confirmed it was the first truly effective medication to help in the battle with addictive drinking. But it took another twelve years for the American Medical Association (AMA) to acknowledge that naltrexone should be widely used for alcoholism in general medical settings with its May 2006 publication of the results of Project COMBINE, the largest multicentre clinical trial in the history of addiction research.
Unfortunately, the fact that naltrexone is not a sufficient ingredient in itself generally remains underreported. In other words, it will not work on its own together with abstinence. Most doctors and patients assume that medications are taken or specific illnesses or conditions. Thus, aspirin helps reduce pain, antibiotics cure bacterial infections, and insulin controls diabetes. Doctors write out prescriptions for medications. Patients follow doctors’ orders and take the medications, which are presumed to have inherent healing properties. Whilst most medications – antibiotics, antihypertensives, or antidepressants – may work like magic, the patient need do little apart from taking the medication.
This is not the case with naltrexone nor nalmefene for alcohol addiction. The medication is only part of the treatment. Active drinking is required in combination with the medication to produce results. As we have seen, the scientific evidence from more than seventy published clinical trials confirms that the medication only works with concurrent drinking – according to the formula or Naltrexone or Nalmefene + Drinking = Cure.

[Baclofenman]

Re: Naltrexone success story

The Sinclair Method | The Sinclair Method Step Three. Your Prescription for Naltrexone or Nalmefene
STEP THREE: YOUR PRESCRIPTION FOR NALTREXONE OR NALMEFENE

Obtaining Your Prescription – Drinking on Naltrexone or Nalmefene is ‘Good Medicine’

Chapter 1 described how naltrexone was approved for the treatment of drinking problems by the FDA in 1994 in the United States and subsequently by medical authorities in many other countries. Back then, the World Health Organisation endorse naltrexone, and the NIAAA confirmed it was the first truly effective medication to help in the battle with addictive drinking. But it took another twelve years for the American Medical Association (AMA) to acknowledge that naltrexone should be widely used for alcoholism in general medical settings with its May 2006 publication of the results of Project COMBINE, the largest multicentre clinical trial in the history of addiction research.
Unfortunately, the fact that naltrexone is not a sufficient ingredient in itself generally remains underreported. In other words, it will not work on its own together with abstinence. Most doctors and patients assume that medications are taken or specific illnesses or conditions. Thus, aspirin helps reduce pain, antibiotics cure bacterial infections, and insulin controls diabetes. Doctors write out prescriptions for medications. Patients follow doctors’ orders and take the medications, which are presumed to have inherent healing properties. Whilst most medications – antibiotics, antihypertensives, or antidepressants – may work like magic, the patient need do little apart from taking the medication.
This is not the case with naltrexone nor nalmefene for alcohol addiction. The medication is only part of the treatment. Active drinking is required in combination with the medication to produce results. As we have seen, the scientific evidence from more than seventy published clinical trials confirms that the medication only works with concurrent drinking – according to the formula or Naltrexone or Nalmefene + Drinking = Cure.

For me, this all stems back to target goals

If you are after abstinence TSM is obviously no good for you as you need to be drinking in order for the Nal (whatever) to have any effect. It works by nulling the demand (for reward) of alcohol but it does not stop you getting pissed and certainly from what I have read allows you to get more pissed, quicker with use!

From what I understand Nal and TSM are tools to enable moderating safely, there appears to be very little evidence of abstinence nor of long term moderation usage. (Pavlov's Dog)

However TSM does show promise in the short term and for what I would term as heavy drinkers. I don't really see any promise here with the "wake up and have a drink" user

Otter, you have to realise that not everyone with an alcohol problem is a basket case. I think we all know our target, the heavy majority I would guess would err for absinence and maybe slide to moderation subsequently. If I was to go this way, I would seriously consider Nal as a tool

You continually knock Nal, because it does not suit your wife or her agenda. Please do not forget that there are people who get seriously offended by your comments, when Nal has worked for them, either as a primary or seconday medication both with or without therapy

I don't really feel I want to contribute anything more on the subject. The whole message of Ameisen is being blurred and I am finding it difficult to put anything on any forum without a reaction and since I don't need this stress in my life, I think it's best to give this a rest.

Maybe a wise move

Regards


Bacman

[YouKayBee]

Re: Naltrexone success story

For me, this all stems back to target goals

If you are after abstinence TSM is obviously no good for you as you need to be drinking in order for the Nal (whatever) to have any effect. It works by nulling the demand (for reward) of alcohol but it does not stop you getting pissed and certainly from what I have read allows you to get more pissed, quicker with use!

From what I understand Nal and TSM are tools to enable moderating safely, there appears to be very little evidence of abstinence nor of long term moderation usage. (Pavlov's Dog)

However TSM does show promise in the short term and for what I would term as heavy drinkers. I don't really see any promise here with the "wake up and have a drink" user

Otter, you have to realise that not everyone with an alcohol problem is a basket case. I think we all know our target, the heavy majority I would guess would err for absinence and maybe slide to moderation subsequently. If I was to go this way, I would seriously consider Nal as a tool

You continually knock Nal, because it does not suit your wife or her agenda. Please do not forget that there are people who get seriously offended by your comments, when Nal has worked for them, either as a primary or seconday medication both with or without therapy



Maybe a wise move

Regards


Bacman

Bacman

I've been abstinent for over 3.5 years thanks to TSM.

When I started TSM I did not want to drink, I'd had enough. I was however desperate enough to fix the problem that I was prepared to drink to make it work. Within a shortish time I was more or less in control, then thanks to lifestyle changes reduced my drinking further until most of the time I didn't drink. Finally after a year or two of mostly barely drinking, often AF weeks at a time, I decided to quit totally.

I know of others who acheived the same with TSM. All of us just didn't want to drink, we sought abstinence and we got there. All three of us drank very differently. We all got to the same end point, although I do think the others have a small tipple, perhaps a mouthfull once or twice a year - whereas I have zilch (I'm just not prepared to even risk anything).

[YouKayBee]

Re: Naltrexone success story

And thank you for your post Bacman, when I was drinking I was a lunatic!

[Baclofenman]

Re: Naltrexone success story

Bacman

I've been abstinent for over 3.5 years thanks to TSM.

When I started TSM I did not want to drink, I'd had enough. I was however desperate enough to fix the problem that I was prepared to drink to make it work. Within a shortish time I was more or less in control, then thanks to lifestyle changes reduced my drinking further until most of the time I didn't drink. Finally after a year or two of mostly barely drinking, often AF weeks at a time, I decided to quit totally.

I know of others who acheived the same with TSM. All of us just didn't want to drink, we sought abstinence and we got there. All three of us drank very differently. We all got to the same end point, although I do think the others have a small tipple, perhaps a mouthfull once or twice a year - whereas I have zilch (I'm just not prepared to even risk anything).

Hi UKB

Thanks for your honest post. It is nice to heard a first hand Nal success story

I think you have emphasised the points I made earlier about having a target aim and the commitment to follow the target. I agree the lifestyle changes are important.

Being 14 months abstinent, I feel I have got over the hard work. I am happy now to go out while the others get pissed (and do what pissed people do) but I do think one drink could lead to the "rocky road". I set myself a target of a year before I sample the grape again. Now it is here......I am not really that fussed tbh, so I gave it another year.

Well done!

Regards



Bacman

[YouKayBee]

Re: Naltrexone success story

Hi UKB

Thanks for your honest post. It is nice to heard a first hand Nal success story

I think you have emphasised the points I made earlier about having a target aim and the commitment to follow the target. I agree the lifestyle changes are important.

Being 14 months abstinent, I feel I have got over the hard work. I am happy now to go out while the others get pissed (and do what pissed people do) but I do think one drink could lead to the "rocky road". I set myself a target of a year before I sample the grape again. Now it is here......I am not really that fussed tbh, so I gave it another year.

Well done!

Regards



Bacman

No problem Baclofenman

I have been a regular contributor on here, long term member, and have posted quite a bit about my story in the past - including a thread about my progress. I was a member for some years on here under a similar user name before I tried TSM, and my struggles with alcohol were posted on here quite a bit. I did try baclofen and really suffered with the side effects/couldn't live with it and didn't want to be using a medication for the rest of my life even if that is the fix.

TSM allows me to be med free, and alcohol free that does leave me to deal with the anxiety on my own, which aint easy. Yesterday I just wanted to shut down, I felt physically sick. I've since been able to reflect on the day, what things were under my control, what I could do differently and I feel a bit better (it's still there and will be there for a few days, and will still affect me for a while, but I'm not drunk and I can force myself to get on). I'm also very interested in that bit of me which gets scared, and shuts down. That, I'm sure comes from something in my past - an old coping mechanism which automatically kicks in, and is no longer useful. I also suffer with an eating disorder which relapsed whilst in recovery, anxiety is known to under lie EDs............soo......and I'm working on that as I train to specialise in Eating Disorder therapy (already qualified as a psychotherapist (post-grad dip) in my sobriety)

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Re: Naltrexone success story

... May 2006 publication of the results of Project COMBINE, the largest multicentre clinical trial in the history of addiction research.
Unfortunately, the fact that naltrexone is not a sufficient ingredient in itself generally remains underreported. In other words, it will not work on its own together with abstinence.

Actually, the best results were from taking naltrexone:

The results of the COMBINE study are as follows: First, many of the patients benefited by participating in the study because all nine groups had a substantial reduction in days of drinking, i.e., more abstinent days over the four months of treatment, compared to pretreatment drinking levels. However, not all patient groups reported similar outcome rates. That is, the patient groups who demonstrated the best (statistical) drinking outcomes after 16 weeks of outpatient treatment had received naltrexone with MM counseling alone (no specialty CBI) or had received specialty therapy, CBI, with just the placebo pills and MM counseling.

Active drinking is required in combination with the medication to produce results. As we have seen, the scientific evidence from more than seventy published clinical trials confirms that the medication only works with concurrent drinking – according to the formula or Naltrexone or Nalmefene + Drinking = Cure.

The Combine Study did not study naltrexone via The Sinclair Method. They studied naltrexone taken daily with the goal of abstinence alone. So I'm confused about this point.

According to the Combine Study, naltrexone works using it as a once-daily medication with a goal of absolute abstinence. And, according to the last statement, there are... more than 70 published clinical trials that confirm that TSM works.

Sounds like a win-win for people to try naltrexone in order to improve the chances of recovery.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Re: Naltrexone success story

And thank you for your post Bacman, when I was drinking I was a lunatic!

Weren't we all. :hug:

[YouKayBee]

Re: Naltrexone success story

Weren't we all. :hug:

Thank you Ne that means a lot. Just wanted you to know that you sound as if something has changed.

[Otter]

Re: Naltrexone success story

Actually, the best results were from taking naltrexone:

The results of the COMBINE study are as follows: First, many of the patients benefited by participating in the study because all nine groups had a substantial reduction in days of drinking, i.e., more abstinent days over the four months of treatment, compared to pretreatment drinking levels. However, not all patient groups reported similar outcome rates. That is, the patient groups who demonstrated the best (statistical) drinking outcomes after 16 weeks of outpatient treatment had received naltrexone with MM counseling alone (no specialty CBI) or had received specialty therapy, CBI, with just the placebo pills and MM counseling.

The Combine Study did not study naltrexone via The Sinclair Method. They studied naltrexone taken daily with the goal of abstinence alone. So I'm confused about this point.

According to the Combine Study, naltrexone works using it as a once-daily medication with a goal of absolute abstinence. And, according to the last statement, there are... more than 70 published clinical trials that confirm that TSM works.

Sounds like a win-win for people to try naltrexone in order to improve the chances of recovery.

Which would suggest that we concentrate on which drug is best for whom, which is the point I have been making. Otherwise we go round in circles.