Hi Jaba,
I made a quality decision to just not worry about the Benzo's/NAL issue. The fact is that I have made a great deal of progress and with a life full of anxiety provoking stimuli it's not a good time to try to get off of the Xanax. I had an AF day today, no cravings. Maybe the Benzo's may slow my progress, but I believe UKB is right that they won't prevent it. I may need to put forth more effort, and do some positive things for myself. In fact, I DO need to put forth more effort. It's like that old saying about luck. The harder you work, the luckier you get!
All the Best,
Retread

Retread, glad to hear that you feel better and have a plan. I was sad for you there for awhile. xoxo Newlife

Retread I am so glad that you feel better - you also make me feel that I am needing to put some effort in too - glad that you are feeling good !! That is great having an AF day with no cravings - go you !!

Hugs, Maggie x

Hi Maggie and Newlife,
I don't feel THAT great, but I have made an interesting observation. Since I now suspect that NAL blocks the anti anxiety meds too, that's more incentive to go AF. Feeling anxious all the time is awful. Last night I actually slept reasonably well. My anxiety disorder likely led to a lifetime of alcohol abuse, trying to self medicate. Now that I know that NAL inhibits the meds that help me, that's more incentive to just go AF. I do have nearly a year of TSM behind me, and recently my sugar level has started to escalate. The only source of sugar in my diet is beer, so there you go. I have plenty of good reasons to go AF, and few if any to continue to drink. TSM is setting me free, but maybe in a little different way than the norm.
All the Best,
Retread

Retread,

I understand that sugar thing, for I my fasting blood sugar was elevated, but "nothing to worry about". I hate that when doctors tell you that, for if your fasting blood sugar is even slightly elevated it is something to worry about, for it will not be too much longer that it will be out of control. Al. will make your blood sugar to go down to low as you sleep and that causes you liver to dump glucose into your blood, and your insulin level will stay the same, because it doesn't know what to do. The next thing you know you have a fasting blood sugar that is a problem. Sorry just ranting! My dad's doctor told him not to worry about his glucose, and then with years not worrying about it he had to have a quadruple bypass because of his drinking and the lack of control he had on his blood sugar.

It is going to be a hard path to go down, but a wise one. For my dad ended up dying in intensive care 10 years after is bypass from a massive heart attack. He still had a drinking problem and could not regulate his blood sugar. I think Je is doing the same thing and he is getting support from an abstinence group (unsure if it is online or not), but maybe you could reach out to him.

We will be here to help you along your journey anyway we can, so just let us know if you need anything.

Jaba

RETREAD,

I just sent you an email and I forgot to sign my name...sorry so excite wanted to get it to you asap. Talk to you doctor about this for it may help you in all areas...just a thought

NEURONTIN

Neurontin is a seizure medication that is also used for chronic pain, anxiety disorders, and addiction to alcohol. Neurontin can be thought of as working at the GABA-A receptor. Like all GABA drugs, Neurontin essentially works to put alcohol addiction into remission by treating anxiety and emotional states of tension and stress. So far, I have found Neurontin to be the second most effective GABA drug that I prescribe. Neurontin is prescribed as a medication to be taken three times daily, and it is also taken as an as needed medication for cravings. Neurontin can also be taken as a prophylactic dose for “high risk” situations, such as work or social functions where many people will be drinking. If being able to drink socially is the goal for treatment, some patients are able to moderate their drinking with the help of Neurontin.

We have discussed GABA in a couple of other threads and some people feel that it's only chasing different jobs to do the job, which is great if it works, confusing if it doesn't.

I am convinced that anxiety and alcohol create a nasty cycle, and if one can be removed it's only going to help. Problem is that initially alcohol withdrawl increases anxiety but if retread can get over that hump, then perhaps there's a hope there'll be some relief and the Xanax can do the job on it's own.

Great way of looking at it.