Hello
Im new here. Ive been trying to moderate my drinking for some time on my own with just keeping count but have been unsuccessful. I was thinking I would really just need to quit altogether. However I came across the Sinclair method and it sounded like a great method for me as I use alcohol to deal with problems and stress. I just asked my GP for naltrexone and he didn't know much about it. I didnt mention the method. He was reluctant at first but then found that he was allowed to prescribe without any permission needed. The only requirement was that it be in combination with a program. I had also applied for a mental health plan and was starting sessions with SMART recovery so he went ahead and prescribed it. I took 50mg (should have taken 25mg I see now!) on Wednesday then an hour later had a beer and did not get that first rush that I always get when having that first mouthful. I waited for it but nothing!
I finished the beer but it took heaps longer than usual and the bottle just wasnt on my mind as usual. About half an hour later I had a another beer and had the same experience. I didnt want another one.I was thinking this is great- this is really going to help me
I had trouble sleeping that night more than usual and in the morning woke up with a really puffy swollen eye.It was quite noticeable. It seemed like an allergic reaction- has anyone else experienced this? The eye went down after a few hours. I went to a SMart meeting and was told off by the leader for taking the drug with drinking. I tried to explain the method but he didn't really want to listen and when I told him about the eye he was shocked and reckoned it was because I had drunk with the drug-not just the drug itself.

Anyway on Thursday I had one beer but without the drug and it was pretty similar- I drank it slowly for me. Friday night (last night) I had to go to a surprise party for a friend and I knew I wouldnt know anyone there so was a bit reluctant to go. I thought I should drive so as not to drink but chickened out at last minute didnt drive and decided to take half a tablet- 25mg. I was worried about the eye thing but thought since it had gone away the worst that could happen it would just puff up again.

At dinner had wine and again no big rush on first mouthful and drunk slowly I think I drank about 3/4 of the bottle so 6 standard drinks I guess. I know that seems a lot but compared to my usual performance it was a pretty drastic reduction. I think I would have drunk less if others hadnt filled up my glass. Anyway there was no puffy eye this morning.

Would really appreciate peoples views on this? When I had the eye thing I was so disappointed because I thought I wouldnt be able to use this drug and this method. It really helped with the cravings too- normally if I were going out Id have at least one drink before leaving the house but didnt even think of it last night. I think I could use it to help change my habits which is what the SMART recovery is all about. I do however feel it seems like cheating a bit as if the only goal can be total abstinence.

Thanks for reading

Hi Moderatedrinker -

I recently started Nal and like you took 50mg when I should have started out with 25. In the morning the whites of my eyes were evenly pink, which I found weird. But my eyes weren't puffy. Last night I cut back to 25mg and this morning my eyes were still pink, but much less so. "Swollen eyes" is listed here as one of the reactions you should talk to your doctor about:

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/naltrexone-side-effects.html

But as it didn't happen with 25mg, hmmm. Still, I think you should connect with your doc and let him know.

If he says it's ok, then it sounds like you're clear for take-off. Just stick with 25mg for awhile and have a little bite to eat along with a full glass of water, then wait an hour and have a drink if you feel like it. But only after you clear the eye issue with your doctor.

Did your doctor order blood tests to check out the condition of your liver?

Thanks Joesixpack

I had a liver function test about a year ago and it was all good.
I took a 25mg last night before going out and gave my second beer to my partner as didn't want to finish it. Feels so good to not be thinking about my next drink !
No puffy eye this morning . Yes I did see it was one of the side effects to see your doctor about. I think I spent the whole day on the internet googling swollen eye naltroxone in between trying to register for this website without knowing the Gilligan key and stuffing up the codes !!!
I do have an appointment with the Gp tomorrow and I was planning on telling him about the eye but not the Sinclair method.
Can I just have a rant about my partner's reaction last night?
He said can't you just take it during the week and then have fun on the weekends? It's not worth trying to explain it to him!
So good not wanting another drink before I've finished the one I'm on. So good not to be thinking about what is there to drink when I get home ? So good to not fight which is normally what happens when I get drunk .
Still feel guilty though as if I'm cheating .

Moderatedrinker -

Glad you're having success with Nal right off the bat! Hopefully the side effects will fade away entirely.

You're not cheating, you're doing your job, which is Nal + 1 hour+ drinking! That's what makes the extinction work.

Sorry your partner wasn't more understanding. Perhaps that will fade too...

Sunday arvo/evening is normally a pretty big session for me. Went to the beach about 5 with my daughter. Had a 25 mg tab. When I got home I just had two beers with dinner and had to force myself to finish the second. Some sleep interruption but no puffy eye. Maybe it was just not enough sleep the first night.
This week I only had 18 units with one AFD. That's down from an average of 35. I think stopping the craving really helps one to focus on breaking the habit. Alcohol dependence has been with me for about 30 years I reckon since I first discovered it at 14/15. I'm seeing a counsellor to work on childhood issues and going to SMART recovery sessions. My dad was an alcoholic and died when I was 11. My mum was depressed and my older sisters and brother all left home pretty soon after dad died. Could this really be the beginning of a new me?
I wonder whether I will ever be a person who does not depend on alcohol. Having some days without those intense cravings has been so different for me. Sitting at a table in a pub and in a restaurant where I wasn't thinking about that next drink has been quite mind blowing. I even left an unfinished drink.
It's scaring me. Drinking has been a huge part of my life. Going out for dinner, going for drinks after work,going to the cricket,the football, the movies, staying home and watching television all done with drink in hand. However pretty much everything Ive ever regretted in my life has been fuelled by alcohol. This whole thing is blowing my mind and I'm feeling really overwhelmed.

Good job on plugging in with the counselor, Moderatedrinker!

Sounds like you're really doing well so far. You're off into uncharted territory, resolving your feelings without washing them away with alc. I have a feeling that this is going to pay off big!

Beware, there is a honeymoon period where you may see your numbers drop initially, but then rise back up later on, it's fairly common. So far, your reaction is a good indication that the Nal will work for you. If you continue to be free of side effects, then try dialing the dose back up to 50mg. As I said, don't worry if your consumption begins to climb back up, it will likely start heading back down soon. Just be mindful about when you drink and use what you learn from SMART to break up your drinking habits and generally to give the old dragon a hard time of it. Don't white knuckle it though, if you really want one, then it's Nal + a light meal and a full glass of water +1 hour, then go ahead and have the drink if you want it.

This is looking really good so far. I'm glad that you're doing this, you seem to be dotting the i's and crossing the t's too!

Hello - so last night Monday night I had a 25 mg and no drinks as I didn't feel like one. Tonight I had another one 25 mg and 2 beers. There was no rush but they were ok . Now I have a bad headache and am so sleepy. Are these the s/e that are meant to go away? Feeling very down too

Others have mentioned sleepiness, yet some have trouble sleeping. Where is the headache? I been getting a bit of a headache at the base of my skull in back, but it's beginning to fade.

Hello just thought Id post on my progress. This is my second weekend. I had 3 AFDs this week. Im having a beer now after 25mg of Nal an hour and a half ago. Im actually quite enjoying this beer but there was no big rush of course. I havent had any eye problems - just feel a bit congested in my throat and a bit of a headache. I think I will miake sure Im rid of that side effect before I move to 50 Mg. It feels really good to not have that craving though. I went out for dinner with my partner last night after working all day and it was a really hard day and I just had a craft beer and a glass of wine. Normally Id have a bottle after a day like that! My partner had been drinking and smoking cones all day while I was at work and was drinking jack daniels . I went and got myself a yummy mars bar cake which I would never normally do. Is this what alcohol is like for a normal person?????

So far, so good! Just keep a close watch on the throat, as you need it to breathe! Excellent news on the AFD's!! Yay, Md!!

What's a cone? Is that like a whole MJ bud? If I smoke a bit the size of the head on a map pin, it improves my mood, but I can hardly stitch a thought together. I save it for evenings when I have a markedly rotten attitude and don't really have to get anything accomplished. And that's a high CBD weed. The high THC types would wipe me out entirely.

I'm working on #8 tonight and less than 2 weeks in, side effects toned down considerably, as is the number of units.

I did get a sore throat a couple of days ago, went away the next day. Odd little spot in the back of my throat, felt like it might get worse.