I saw the online testimonial by Claudia Christian a few weeks ago. I couldn't believe a "cure" existed and it wasn't known by everyone. I bought the book by Dr. Eskapa and it made sense to me. So I brought it with me to my GP with high hopes. To my disappointment, she said she would only refer me to a psychiatrist, and that you can't treat alcoholism with a pill. That bothered me and I will get a new GP, but that's beside the point.

I looked on http://www.cthreefoundation.org/ and looked for Verified Physicians. I'm in KY, and there is 1, Stephen Cox, in Lexington. I called his number and was told I could make an appointment. They don't take insurance and the first visit is over $500. There's a clinic in TN that has Claudia on the website main page touting them (4 hour drive from me). I have left 3 messages and heard nothing back. Their website only mentions Vivitrol, the 30-day shot.

I looked again and found the database of doctors known to prescribe Naltrexone. I called one that is local and spoke to a rehab nurse. She said she'd consider asking the Dr to prescribe ReVia and work with me, but that I'd need to come see her once a week after that. I went in and paid $75 (it's a clinic). I saw the Dr first. She said she'd prescribe Vivitrol. I said I wanted the pill. She said the shot means you don't have to worry about remembering to take the pill. I said I'd spoken to the nurse. She went and got the nurse, who came in and argued with me that I couldn't be relied on to take a pill. I said I was there entirely on my own volition, I'm obviously motivated to take the pill. She said she wasn't sure, would see what she could do, trying all the while to tell me the harmful effects of alcohol. I said I know all this. It's like a damn Kafka story.

So I've looked online at "no prescription required" websites. Claudia had said she got her first dose from some other country. These all want over $200 for 30 pills. I looked at the UK website that will prescribe for you. I figured if they don't ship to the US, I could get a UK address that ships to other countries (THAT's easy to find). When I got on there, they don't do Naltrexone, they prescribe Nalmefene, which I see in forum people complaining of anxiety and nausea, and I don't want to try something else, the book says take ReVia.

So this all seems crazy to me. I am a "functional alcoholic" who wants to stop. I don't like the idea of visiting more physicians and answering personal questions, especially after the two I've spoken to. Does anyone have a reasonably priced online source that they can verify? I see some recommendations for AllDayChemist, but their website says they require a prescription. OR, has anyone worked with a Dr anywhere close to Louisville KY? We can chat offline. I'm not a cop, this drug doesn't get you high, I'm just getting frustrated.

Sorry you're running into such a bunch of roadblocks, Jayconn! This really should be a lot easier....

All Day Chemist has been a reliable source in the past and a prescription isn't required (if they ask for it, just skip that page). They don't really need anything but your name, mailing address and payment info, if they ask for a SSN, skip that too. Some have set up a throwaway email account just for this purpose and have used a prepaid Visa/MC that allows international purchases. Just put a bit more on the card than is required for the purchase and once it ships, put the remainder in your gas tank or the like. I would suggest getting the Naltima brand as the other has a tougher coating and requires waiting 90 minutes rather than 60. Forget about the Nalmefene, nobody ships that to the US anyway.

Some folks have had luck going to a younger doc at one of the urgent care chains. If you've ever had Naltrexone before, that might get you some leverage too, just bring along the old pill bottle or the printout with the prescription details. Generally, since most doctors that know of Naltrexone in the first place are used to prescribing it for daily use while abstinent, it's best to agree to just nod your head and then once you have the prescription, use it per TSM and break the news to them later, when you can bring in your graph and show them your progress. I hear that the doctors of eastern Indian extraction might be more open-minded as well, it looked like there were some of those in the "Naltrexone Providers" section of Find a Physician.

If you do end up ordering online and get 30 pills, best to put in another order when you determine that the side effects (which usually pass within a couple of weeks, if not sooner) will be tolerable. It can take 2-3 weeks to get the shipment and you don't want to run out.

In any case, please keep posting and let us know how you're doing with this, we'll help you get past this hurdle one way or the other.

Hey, thanks! I didn't want to place the order with All Day Chemist because they asked for my GP and all that. Amazing the system seems set up to prevent you saving your own life. I have high hopes for this. Been drinking since I'm 17 and I'll be 55 in a couple of months. This would be a huge load off me. You guys are doing the Lord's work, I am convinced of it. If this works, I will have my wife and stepfather both on it, and will be a very vocal supporter.

Fantastic! Check out http://optionssavelives.freeforums.net/ too, that's another TSM/Medication Assisted Treatment board, lots of stories to read and lots of new people over there.

Hi Jayconn - I get naltima from All day chemist with no hitch. Just ordered and no RX required. The only problem I had was my debit card declined my payment as fraud charge which required me calling my bank to approve it. I think I'll take Joe's suggestion and get a prepaid visa. It's expensive but oh so worth it. It really does work.