Sorry Maggie, if I upset you. If you feel that Caspar should quit TSM due to the side effects, by all means state your position. I think the side effects of taking Nal / Salincro are a walk in the park compared to alcoholism.

As for me: This site has a search function.

Selincro was nasty side effects wise, horrible dreams, couldn't sleep, etc.

Naltrexone OK, even better when it can be used at 12.5, so it has almost no side effects.

Probably good to get a bit of aversion therapy with Opioid blockers and alcohol. Makes it easier not to drink. Hyperextinguishment !!

indeed it does. from what I can see, you were fortunate enough to be a fast responder & no mention of SE's, so I assume you weren't overly troubled. the SE's on Nalmefene can be pretty nasty - far more so than for Naltrexone, & also more so than a hangover - & presumably pretty scary for a first-timer


given the severity of the SE's, no, maybe not that easy

I understand the intent of your comments, but perhaps a tad harsh for a newbie looking for support & reassurance?

Caspar - sorry for the thread hijack. I saw you got some help from Joanna at OptionsSaveLives. sorry we weren't able to help you too much, but you're very welcome here & I really hope we haevn't frightened you off

-badger

Clarion, I rather think Maggie was reacting far more to your flippant and sarcastic tone than the content of your advice. If I have learned anything from this forum it is that we all suffer different burdens. But the last thing any of us need is more of the judgemental crap. We get plenty of that. Tone down the sarcasm.

Steve

I don't have a problem with drinking, but I know someone who did, and neither one of us has ever had a hangover even with drinking a lot. But I would imagine it would be hard enough for someone who has AUD to commit to taking an active role in their treatment, and if you throw in awful side effects they've never had to experience, that could be a real barrier to continued treatment. Telling someone to suck it up without trying to look for other options is to me a lot like saying "you failed; the treatment didn't fail you."

I believe there's a time for home truth, but with people who are showing willingness and happen to be experiencing some unsteadiness in early days, it might be most effective to be gentle with them until they've got their feet under them a bit and gotten to feel some positive effects from treatment.

Caspar, I am sorry for what happened to you. I have read repeatedly that Selincro has very rough side effects. I know it sucks that you wasted the $, but it really might be worth considering getting some naltrexone and trying again. Please don't give up and please let us know how you are doing because we really do care. Hugs from Newlife

Whew... tough crowd!

Are we forgetting about the suffering involved with alcoholism? I had 30 years of miserable hangovers more days than not, panic attacks, impotence, shame, no self-esteem, insomnia, waking up at 3:00 am filled with either vomit, or an overwhelming sense of horror and dread, trembling, racing for more alcohol. Disappointing your spouse and kids, your employer. Your co-workers. Embarrassing them all. Watching your hopes and dreams disappear. Peeing in your bed. Watching the love of your life get on a plane never to be heard from again. I could go on for days... And that's just me. Maybe I am lucky. I didn't injure or kill anyone or commit any crimes, or spend time in jail. I didn't end up homeless. Who suffers more than an alcoholic? The list is a short one.

TSM saved me from all of that. 30 years of hell. Gone. Over. Fini.

I think it would be wonderful to be welcoming to Casper because he/she is new here. But I live in Realville. There is no guarantee Casper will ever come back. Lots and lots of folks post once and are gone, Casper came right out and said as much. Maybe you only have one chance to reach them. To shout: Don't be a fool! No side effects are worse than alcoholism! You can save your life just like I did!

True, I didn't take Salincro, and I didn't suffer much in the way of side effects. And the point of that is what exactly? Suffering is suffering. Casper is at a fork in the road. Both roads lead to suffering. Suffer side effects, or suffer alcoholism. One road leads to salvation, the other to hell. As I said, the choice is easy if you really want to quit drinking. I want Casper to succeed. I want Casper to take the meds and experience what I did. There is no option C for suffer-free success if the meds produce side effects in the user.

So do we give up on them? Do we say sorry, try AA? This miracle is not for you? Write them pleasant platitudes when they've already announced they're on the verge of giving up and going away? How does that help?

Follow The Golden Rule. Conquer alcoholism and experience what I have experienced.

That's what I want for Casper.

Okay Clarion - not sure if I should reply or not to you - I am not saying that we do not remember the suffering that goes on with Alcoholism - BUT you are really SO hard on folk! You infer that we have a choice ! Maybe we do - you seemed to respond very quickly to Nal - and that is great for you. But the thing is that when you are so snippy with new people here they will not return! You can't be so sarcastic about it all - do you really not remember how it felt before Nal worked for you ?

I do NOT have a choice - you say that we do. I had a choice before Nal - and to that extent I do have a choice now - but if I had a choice then - I would not need Nal !!!! You really need to think about this - we (I) are/am not being tough re what you are saying! I do get where you are coming from - but you also have to think about it - I think it is great that TSM saved you from 30 years of hell - but just because it worked so quickly for you does not mean it is going to work so quickly for everyone. And when you are so 'tough love' with the newbies they will be scared off.

And yes we DO write them pleasantries - because writing them nasty grams does not work ! They are here because they have a problem - and hopefully the nice folk here can support them ......

In my experience, "tough love" only alienates. Unconditional love stands a chance.

Steve.

I find it rather ironic that you're taking this attitude when your first ever post/thread on this forum was entitled "Clarion's Progress (Please Welcome Me)"

-badger