I am immune to antabuse

[Merovie]

I must be the unluckiest person alive but I swear I am totally immune to the effects of Anatbuse. The only thing that happens when I drink on it is that my skin flushes red. That's it. No sickness, no negative physical or mental reaction whatsoever. And I HATE A.A. Being told I have a "disease" and that I am "powerless" over and over again does two things: One - it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If I'm powerless, then so be it. Cue Sera Sera. And secondly, saying I have a "disease" absolves me of personal responsibility.

But I really want to quit - and I was hoping Antabuse would scare me into submission, but IT JUST DOESN'T WORK.

Am I alone in this, or have others had the same problem?

[Siren136]

I am immune to antabuse

Hi Merovie,

I haven't tried the meds, but no meds works the same way for everyone. Talk to your doctor about this and get on one that may reduce your cravings, like Bacloven or Topamax. It stinks that something you hoped would solve your problem isn't working, but again - you have some other options.

There are lots of folks here who don't agree with AA, but I think you need to do some soul searching. You control the drink or the drink controls you. If you need a med to 'scare you into submission' then I think you know which camp you fall into.

You can't change anything that happened in the past. In that respect, you do have power - the power to seize your future. I wouldn't say you are powerless. You have the power and ability to quit. You just need to find the strength. That's where we can help, and I hope you let us.

[lucky 2.0]

I am immune to antabuse

M,

I bet a million dollars that if you drink more than you are currently drinking on antabuse, you will be violantly vomiting, no doubt. I speak from experience and I have no belief that your biology is different than everyone else's biology on the planet.

I am sure you are special in some way, but not in this one.

[Supercrew]

I am immune to antabuse

I thought the reason for taking antabuse was so you wouldn't drink. Why drink on antabuse if you want to be sober?

Sort of defeats the purpose...no?

[Merovie]

I am immune to antabuse

You're absolutely right.

No, you're absolutely right. Why would I take a drug that is supposed to stop me from drinking and still drink? It makes no sense. I've been trying to figure that one out for myself. Especially since drinking makes me depressed and screws up a lot of life's opportunities for myself. Hence - it could be said that I am "powerless." I just don't want to be, but I also don't want to belong to an all-or-nothing cult.

I have cut down on my drinking significantly ever since reading Jeffrey Schaler's book "Addiction is a choice." I actually have had a beer or two and stopped - something A.A. said I would never be able to do.

I just started seeing a therapist because I believe my drinking has to do with unresolved problems from my past. I lived in New Orleans for 16 years and drank like a normal person. It has only been a few years since I started drinking to oblivion following my breakup with a girl I was in love with.

[Supercrew]

I am immune to antabuse

Well it sounds like you have it all figured out. So why don't you take the feelings out of the equation, and quit drinking?

I am not an AAer as well, but once I realized the only person that kept me drinking was me and my excuses, it became pretty apparent that I had to change what I was doing. Then I put a plan together, took my feelings out of the equation, and followed the plan. Stay sober just for today, and then start over and do it again tomorrow. You can do it.

[Siren136]

I am immune to antabuse

:yeahthat:

Don't look to far into the future. Don't drink today. Go to sleep totally sober tonight, get up feeling refreshed. Rinse and repeat.

I don't mean to sound glib - it's tough. But it's tougher if you think too far in the future. Don't let your mind go there. Just concentrate on today.

[Struggles 106]

I am immune to antabuse

Hey Merovie

I am wondering about this antabuse deal with you. Since it has saved my life I have done a lot of research about it. As a matter of fact I have a friend who gave me hers since she says it doesn[t work for her.
But knowing aome physiology etc I am wondering about your dosage , length of time etc. The fact is that the more consistent the dosage, and the longer time the more severe the reaction. I too don;t hink your biology could be that different.

So if you don't mind, how much were you taking and how long? How much did you drink when you got the stated reaction?

I'm not even going there on why you took it and drank. I did that too long ago to "see what would happen" It was not pleasant.

So please if you will-share. I would really like to know.

Thanks

[K9Lover]

I am immune to antabuse

Hi Merovie,

I, too, am on Antabuse and have been for a long time. Like Ann, I'm curious about the amount you are taking and how often? The flushed face IS a reaction, so I would not say you are necessarily immune. Maybe your dose is just not high enough. How long have you been on it?

[Merovie]

I am immune to antabuse

500 mg

Every day for at least two months now.

[K9Lover]

I am immune to antabuse

Hmmm...that does sound strange. How much did you drink while taking it?

[sunshinedaisies]

I am immune to antabuse

Wow - I started taking it and an hour after I took a HALF a tab, I had a cheese and Branston pickle sandwich - the Branston pickle is a UK relish - anyway I had a reaction to IT !! Hadn't even given it a thought but after I had the sandwich, I started feeling ill - and very strange. It was the AB - !!!!

Maybe you have a duff batch? where did you get it from - is it the stuff from your g'f? maybe it is old and out of date and not as effective........just a thought.

hugs, sun XX

[Dave_]

I am immune to antabuse

I have dank on AB, and it just messed me up big time. I don't think I have ever been that sick before.

[K9Lover]

I am immune to antabuse

I've drank on it too and I NEVER want to feel like that again. Projectile vomiting and I'm sure my head spun completely around!

Merovie - I was wondering the same thing as Sunshine, maybe your batch is not potent. Did you use an online pharmacy or go through a doctor?

[Snapdragon]

I am immune to antabuse

sunshinedaisies;1482950 wrote: Wow - I started taking it and an hour after I took a HALF a tab, I had a cheese and Branston pickle sandwich - the Branston pickle is a UK relish - anyway I had a reaction to IT !! Hadn't even given it a thought but after I had the sandwich, I started feeling ill - and very strange. It was the AB - !!!!

Maybe you have a duff batch? where did you get it from - is it the stuff from your g'f? maybe it is old and out of date and not as effective........just a thought.

hugs, sun XX

Hi Sunshine - does Branston Pickle contain alcohol? It would never occur to me - it's one of my favourites too