Finally decided to visit a psychiatrist because of anxiety and drinking. I haven't measured my drinking, but probably 50-60 units/week. Psychiatrist was great, discussed all the options available, and we agreed to try Naltrexone. He told me it should reduce my cravings, but didn't say anything about TSM.

I came home and did my research and read about TSM and it made so much sense. So I decided to give it a try.

The next day (Friday) I took 25 mg (half pill) and had to choke down an IPA. I normally love them. It was such a bizarre sensation to taste the bitter, high-alcohol concoction that usually tastes so good for what it really is. I finished with two drinks of tequila, and it just tasted of antispeptic. The rush was gone. I fell asleep after those three drinks. That's probably half of what I would have normally drank.

The next morning I felt like crap. In retrospect I suppose it was a mild nal-over. By afternoon I was feeling ok again.

For the next couple of days I would take a half pill and drink 2-3 drinks just to try the process and to avoid any potential withdrawal. I had very little craving for it.

Then two nights in a row I was at parties where I would normally drink heavily. I popped half a pill an hour before the party, and the results were amazing. My beer glass wasn't empty two minutes after it was poured. I found myself focusing on the people and conversation at the party, not on where my next drink was coming from. I remained intelligible throughout the party instead of descending into drunkenness.

Last night (6th night after starting) was my first AF. I had very slight cravings, but I didn't bother drinking and it didn't really bother me. I knew that if I really needed to, I could pop a naltrexone and have a drink, but I didn't.

I've had mild side effects. Minor stomach cramping, some trouble sleeping. I feel a little bit "stoned" on the pill, especially after a couple of drinks. But the side effects aren't nearly as bad as the side effects from alcohol.

This might just be the honeymoon, so I realize it may well get more difficult. But so far, wow. This has been life-changing. My plan is to stay on 25 mg (half-pill) doses only an hour before planning to drink. If I find that I start drinking more, I'll up my dose to 50.

One question about side effects. They tend to dissipate over time, right? Should I expect that if I only end up taking Nal sporadically, like on weekends when I'm socializing, that I won't get over the side effects as easily as if I take it every day?

Even if that is the case, I'm thinking taking it only when I plan to drink is a good plan so that I can reinforce other healthy endorphin-releasing behaviors. I do feel like I get less pleasure out of some things, like coffee and exercise.

Thanks to everyone here for helping to promote this amazing method. If it continues to work for me, I'm considering dedicating my life to spreading the word. I know so many people who need this.

Hi IPAdrinker,
I just wanted to say welcome. I am a very new member, started on August 5th, but like I said, wanted to make sure to give you a warm welcome. I'm so glad your doctor led you here. That's great. I am so happy to hear about your progress thus far and it really just gives me a warm feeling that there is yet another person, finding relief from the alcoholic prison.
I don't have any solid answers for you about the side effect, so hopefully someone else will chime in and help you out.
I know for me, I got incredibly sick the first time I took nal, but I took 50mg, I didn't know, I am now taking 12.5 and have mild SE which seem to be dissipating each time I take it.
Like I said, glad you are here and I very much look forward to traveling this road together.
Hope you have a wonderful day!
Carli

Hey IPA - I had similar cramping when I started but I did not respond as quickly as you did. In fact, right after I started the TSM I was on a pretty good roll of drinking as I had a lot of travel and family in town. So after several days it was hard to tell if the cramping and GI issues were NAL related or the normal side effects of drinking to much. Now I am finishing up 2 months I am starting to see some results in my numbers. But I do occasionally get some cramping. There does not seem to be any consistency to when it happens. For example, last week I had one night where I had three coronas and had miserable cramps for about 5 minutes after the third one. But last night I had seven fat tires while I was hanging at house and never felt the least bit of discomfort.

Anyways, welcome aboard. And congrats on being a fast responder but beware of the rebound!

Hi IPA,

Sounds like we both started around the same time. Like you, I responded right away to the Nal and it was actually hard to drink this week. I've heard that there are "early responders" and I've also heard about the honeymoon phase. Hard to say what the case is with each of us - I guess we'll see as time goes on. My question for you is whether you felt a void and/or irritability without the normal drinking since you've started? I've noticed that sounds and things in my environment really get to me since I've cut back so drastically. I'm just more on edge and cranky it seems.

J

Hi, IPA
I was obsessed with craft beer drinking that got out of hand. My health eventually made me seek solutions. I self diagnosed and treated (with TSM) with the help of my clueless Prim Phys and was an instant responder with almost no SA at 50mg. My first gulp of Stone Enjoy By (a favorite) almost made me spit it up. NASTY! Now I happily enjoy 2 beers daily. My taste has changed and belgian strong pale's are currently a favorite. Just sayin' you can sort of have your cake and eat it too, if you're lucky. I'm now doing Low Dose Nal for the ALC control and health benefits AND enjoying reasonable beer appreciation.
Best of luck to you.
Steve.

Welcome IPA - I am assuming that IPA is a drink? I am not familiar with it. Yes the SE's will dissipate over time - well, they do for most anyway - and you really need to read the book - you only take the Nal if you are planning on drinking - it will not work any faster if you take it when you don't drink, as it works on the fact that when you drink, the endorphins are blocked by the Nal - so not drinking will not teach the brain anything about drinking and Nal!

Reboot - just a thought - sometimes I could drink 4 drinks and have the worlds worst Nal-Over - other days I could easily have 4 and no worries so I agree that sometimes it is worse and other times not - just to me seems very hit and miss - the other week I had two and had a Nal Over ! I suppose it keeps us on our toes - sort of reminds me of Russian Roulette actually - LOL.

Welcome J_26 - glad that the Nal is working for you already and yes you are probably in the honeymoon phase but whatever phase you are in, if you are taking Nal it is a good one !! I can't work out if you get cranky when you drink or when you don't drink, but yes I too had that - not every time, but when I don't drink, I would get mildly cranky after a few days - and then once or twice have got really moody when drinking - which is very unlike me. The void that you are feeling is 'cos you are so used to drinking that you are sort of at a loss as to what to do exactly when you don't drink! You have to relearn how to play at life really ..... but it is worth it !!

Hugs, Maggie

===

welcome and good luck! you may be experiencing some "honeymoon" effects, but take it for what it's worth. something's working!

Instead of this, you should take the Green energy drinks and do exercise regularly. This routine will help you overcome these problems and you’ll feel so healthy. The best thing is that you can make these health drinks at home.

spam reported