Hi there! I am in my first week. Up until 5 or 6 years ago I didn't drink at home and had no real prob with alcohol. I could have a bottle of wine in my house for months...I just didn't drink at home (unless company for dinner). Then I started drinking at home/drinking became a problem (chicken or egg?). Anyhow...alc prob for several years now, out and at home, with friends or husband or alone (I'm getting somewhere, I promise )

Started Nal and drank wine at home first two nts. I was with hubby, who was not drinking, watching our shows. NO sense of internal motivation to continue, didn't drink much (4 glasses was max). AND, my experience was "this isn't really enjoyable (the drinking) at all". So my assumption was, drinking on Nal may curb the craving/undo my addiction, but alas, no more enjoyment either. But then I read something in the book that said something like "lack of euphoria/endorphin rush DOES NOT = lack of pleasure".

This got me thinking. Why didn't I used to drink at home? Well, I can imagine that before I was an alcoholic and was feeling extreme (yet subtle) rushes from each sip, I didn't find drinking alone enjoyable. Drinking USED TO b a social/go out and party with the girls kind of thing.

Soooo...on a quest to know more, I declared Day 3 on Nal Social Drinking Day! 2 drinks at dinner with hubby, 2 at the bar where I work, and 1 at a rowdier bar. And, TaDa...that was enough! ( I actually had to kinda force myself to drink faster so I could get intoxicated...my rate the previous 2 nts would have never gotten me there). AND, I HAD FUN being intoxicated just like in my old life!! And I remembered it!

Just wondering about your experience in the fun department. I'm really glad the fun is not gone. It felt so NORMAL!!!!!!

Peace,
Lisa

I don't find it that fun unfortunately. But, it's worth it if I can return to normal drinking.

Yeah i am getting some pleasure. Better in company, i feel more in control. If you are used to not being able to stop when you started its a different thing. The first drink or two is a bit euphoric and this slowly tapers off. I think its related to the stages of effect of the nal. After an hour its possible that the nal hasnt really kicked in. After about 3 hours I can really feel the nal, like my brain is buzzing and i definitely dont want to drink. In between starting and stopping i experience different feelings. From a relatively normal drinking feeling to a sort of spaced out,drunk feeling and then 'time to get to bed' feeling. I feel kind of weird much of the time even on non drinking days but less depressed. I have to keep in mind that i want to get off the booze as much as possible so that i also dont have to take the nal. I dont want to have the nal in my system the rest of my life.

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: The naltrexone creates an odd feeling. I'm not sure how to describe it. By itself it's not exactly pleasant or unpleasant. I haven't tried drinking in the company of other people who are drinking, but drinking alone is no pleasure at all.

This is exactly how I feel. A slight buzz for the first 2 - 3 glasses and then it seems as if I am just drinking out of habit and no buzz...just a weird feeling. After that, I get tired and bored with drinking and just go to sleep. I am also able to control my intake when out with friends. I can stop drinking after 1 or 2 glasses of wine and that never happened pre Nal.

Me too on the feeling very different when drinking with naltrexone. I can feel the alcohol in my system, but don't get the instant rush - it's not unpleasant, but not that great either. This has pretty much stopped me from drinking - other than a few sips.

I'm also taking baclofen which has been wonderful for me. I wonder what 'normal' really is

Babs

if you are enjoying it you should consider upping your dose.

Lisa, I wonder if you had fun partying rather than enjoying the drinking per se. I'm not saying you shouldn't have had the alcohol -- that was part of the partying -- but suggesting that you might not have enjoyed having five drinks at home alone.

If you do get a rush of pleasure from alcohol itself, that's a bad sign and sideeffect2 is probably right about upping the dose. That's what we're supposed to be blocking.

It sounds like you have a life where you enjoy partying with friends. If that's a life you like, and naltrexone lets you keep it, that's awesome. Abstinence isn't for everyone.

Congrats Lisa

If you are feeling normal that's great and I don't see why you should up the dose just go with it . Best of luck . J.

I've found that I do still enjoy the first one or two, but I just simply no longer want any more after that. The tase of wine is still just as nice and I get a warm feeling as it goes down. I get a slightly tipsy feeling and a loosening up, but I also find that I still feel quite sober at the same time (it's hard to explain!). I can remember everything that I say and do, and have lost that feeling of wanting to chase more and more drinks.
The feelings are very different than pre TSM. Then it was more of a relief to have that first drink and there was an instant aaahhh feeling as a result of ending the craving. Now it's more of a mmm, this is nice, but I've had enough now.