On my 3rd try -- first my PCP, then a methadone clinic, then this doc -- I though't I'd found someone who understood.

I was clear that I would take N -- and if fact I was insisting on it -- and she obliged. She even Rx'ed it 'as needed'. However, she is not a very good listener.

So I took it 'as needed', and as per TSM/Pharmacological Extinction.

In 14 days I went through 450mg, which constituted my entire prescription.

WORKED like a charm. Extinguished what I would jokingly refer to as "One-More-Itis" right off the bat. I drank slower, I ate food like humans do, and I did not once get s*** faced, despite this 2 week period overlapping new years. I had my first abstinent day in months, and while I am still psychologically dependent, I was please to not feel chemically dependent.

Everything was working as advertised.

On the 14th day I had a follow up and asked for more. She again obliged.

However, my insurance would not pay. For whatever reason I don't get more for another 9 days.

I contacted her, and the Rx that was once 'PRN' (as needed) was now 'PM'.

I told the pharmacy that I would pay out of pocket and insurance be damned. Pharmacy said they could not without my p-doc's permission.

I called my p-doc, and asked for permission, and of course I spoke with her secretary (I did not expect more). She would not give that permission.

I need a new doctor, again, again, again.

I've dried out on my own many times before over the last 6 years (I'm 33 now), and I'm befuddled as to why TSM is completely alien to docs in USA.

I'm a Behavioral Sciences Major (which doesn't account for much) with a focus in abnormal psych and an interest in psychopharmacology.... BF Skinner, Pavlov's dog's, Operand Conditioning... pardon the pun, but shouldn't this be a "no brainer"?

Please make sure to fill out my survey, if you haven't yet.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1v1vqaJ ... U/viewform

I am trying to document what people experience in trying to obtain Naltrexone. In my opinion, there is no reason why this should not be an over-the-counter drug, and there is definitely no reason why doctors should make it more difficult to obtain Naltrexone, but it seems like they do.

You can buy generic naltima online at alldaychemist.

No hassle and relatively cheap

I agree, and unfortunately the link is broken.

I told the first p-doc that I mostly drank because I have problems sleeping, and now I'm drinking too much, and not only would he not Rx me N (antabuse would be OK though), but he did Rx me Ambien.

Incredible.




One step ahead of you. It's a shame and very ironic that the biggest problem with N as it's typically Rx'ed is patient compliance. That's why the slow release super expensive injection was 'invented'.

Here she has someone who is willing to take it, and wanting to take it, and for reasons I cannot wrap my mind around she thinks it fit to cut me off.

I weigh almost 100Kg. I have a family history of alcohol abuse. 50mg/day might be enough for a 50Kg female, but it's not enough for me, and I can definitely feel the difference when I drink a cocktail on an empty stomach.

On top of that -- and I know I'm no expert -- but I suspect and it feels like DR upregulation has happened.

For her to cut me off like that is skirting the line between irresponsibility and malpractice.

Just venting, but if anyone reading this knows of a good doc in northern NJ, USA, then please advise.

double post

After I did my research I didn't even bother talking to my doctor for several good reasons. First, I knew full well that I was going to be put into the position of paying good money to educate my physician which is, to put it politely, the tail wagging the dog. The sad truth is, that if drug companies could make a buck off of it their reps would be "pushing" it at doctor's offices, and they'd all know about it in short order.

Secondly, I wanted to go into my TSM journey with confidence and did not want to deal with potential skepticism from my physician. I caught that from a counselor I was seeing back in October and sh$t-canned her in a heartbeat. At the time I needed that like I needed a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Forgive me for sounding sour on our healthcare system, but when it comes to TSM it's next to useless, and at times detrimental.

Here is that link again, unbroken this time:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1v1vqaJ ... U/viewform

I went to my primary care physician to try to get Naltrexone. The office I go to has mostly PAs so I hadn't actually met the MD before. I was so sure that if I could just explain how Naltrexone works, the doc would understand and write the prescription. As it turned out, the PA couldn't prescribe without the MD's permission, so I requested to see the MD. I explained until I was blue in the face how it works and what the potential side effects were and so on, but the doctor absolutely refused to prescribe it. He understood how it worked, he just refused to prescribe it. A few days later, I figured out why his face looked so familiar...he'd been running an AA meeting that my Ex dragged me to.

This is why it needs to be available OTC.

You can legally (in the USA) mail-order it. It's not scheduled. You don't need a prescription to possess it legally.

I personally like the idea of OTC naltrexone -- heck, liquor stores could carry it -- but those who've experienced worse side effects have mentioned that there are a lot of potential problems with that. The mail-order system isn't too bad, is it? Everyone can get it who wants it. It just takes a week or so.

I have the impression that it's scheduled in the UK, which is why our UK members are so interested in the nalmefene discussion. If my impression is correct, that kind of sucks and would be nice to change. I'm not sure we need to kick it all the way to OTC, though. The people who object have some good points.

Naltrexone isn't scheduled in the UK as far as I know. the reason we're interested in Nalmefene is that the NHS can prescribe it, for which which we pay a nominal charge (about £8) per month - they're not allowed to prescribe Naltrexone as it's not on the approved list for alcoholism (it is for opiate addiction). private doctors can prescribe Naltrexone on a private prescription, if you can persuade them, although obviously this is much more expensive, unless you have private healthcare insurance which covers it. or, as I do, we can buy it off the Internet for about £1.50 per pill