Hey all. Just dropping in to give my background and say hi.

This is my second go around with Naltrexone, and this time, I plan to be more diligent .

I first took NTX back in maybe nov '09, and was abstinent w/in about 3 weeks. By January, I had quit taking it. My original plan had been to keep it around for if/when I began drinking again, but my Rx ran out, and after 2 months sober, began drinking again...which quickly spiralled into my 'usual' ~20/day.

My drinking basically started in college, not from partying, but as a reaction to severe anxiety and depression. As the anxiety and agoraphobia came under control, I eventually reverted to 'normal' drinking patterns - maybe some wine with dinner, or drinks with friends, but never anything crazy. Maybe 8 years ago (late 20's) I began drinking insane amounts (20+/day, I weigh about 160). Over the last few years, the alcoholism just took on a life of its own, and for me, NTX really is a 'magic pill'. Looking at the drinking history of those here who list it, I'm struck with how quick my reduction is compared to others. I was at about 120/week pre-NTX. The day I started it, all desire to drink basically stopped. I had to force myself to have a few drinks just to alleviate the withdrawal.

This is my 10th day, and I'm around 3-4/day, up from 0-2 the first few days.
I see a lot of people seem to increase slightly after an initial drop...presumably as your brain upregulates receptors?

I also notice that NTX affects a LOT of different activities. Eating, sex, smoking...I find it amazing how many of our drives are controlled by one neurochemical w/o our even realizing it. All my behaviors that went to excess seem to be flattened. Less eating and smoking is obviously a good thing. Since I'm single atm, the sex is kinda irrelevant . And at any rate, the nightly ritual of dangerous, stupid, embarrassing behaviors was not exactly conducive to a happy lifestyle...

Anyway, I'll check in occasionally for moral support, and continue to keep track of my experience.
The empathy I have for those of you who have controlled your drinking this way...well, it's boundless!
I almost wish I knew more alcoholics so that I could help them.

Good for you! Isn't it nice to wake up and not have to check your cell phone log?!!!

thanks so much for your story - another lesson for those of us who feel "cured" - we can never drink again without naltrexone - talk about risky behaviour!

Good luck on your second go-round.

Good luck on this go-round - I think your story perfectly shows that we need to remain ever-vigilant; it's only a 'cure' as long as you keep taking NTX (love that, btw).

I've been bothered by that use of 'cure', incidentally - we won't be cured, in the sense that we take NTX for awhile and things go away. The best analogy I've heard is the Beano analogy (you take it before ingesting something that gives you problems), but that doesn't quite capture the seriousness of it.

An EpiPen or insulin captures the spirit of it a bit better, I think - especially the former.

Regardless, it sounds like you've got the body chemistry that will result in success, as long as you stick with the program. I'll confess I'm jealous of your quick results =)