It's been a long time...

Good news first: I've made significant progress with taking the over-the-counter drug N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) 1200mg twice daily. In theory it shall help by "reducing glutamatergic drive in the nucleus accumbens". My psychiatrist thinks it's absolutely fine to take it.

My drinking has gone down significantly thanks to NAC. I don't have loss of control anymore. In the past I've really had a LOT of visits to the ER, psychiatries and hospitals in general because of my drinking. None of that has happened in close to one year.

Yet, I'm still not exactly happy with my drinking habits. I don't drink daily, but four times a week. When I drink, then up to 6-7 beers (I gave up all the harder stuff). 6-7 beers within ~2-3 hours is not much for me "thanks" to my tolerance, but its' for sure bad for my health.

Therefore I've decided I'll combine the Sinclair Method with NAC. I will receive naltrexone from my psychiatriast in two weeks. I'll take it always 60 minutes before I drink.

I'll keep you updated.

There's so much in my life I want to accomplish and I've lost SO much opportunities because of alcohol.

But then again, I'm 28 - so life isn't over yet and I want to reach my goals (like having a family...). One good thing about me is that I never give up... never (sometimes even if I probably should).

best wishes to all other users!!!

Welcome, it sounds like you are very determined, which is considerably helpful when the hiccups occur. Also, i find that having a doctor on board helps to validate the use of Naltrexone even if they do recommend the once a day protocol. My doc said that he will support anything he can to assist my efforts in harm reduction. Yay doc! You are young and have so much to look forward to. Kudos for starting this journey at such a young age. You will get lots of advice and encouragement here if you keep posting. Much success, Keek

N-Acetylcysteine

I take a few supplements. Anyone else try this one and for what?

NAC boosts glutathione levels (a very strong antioxidant).

NAC helps to detoxify acetaldehyde, the metabolite of alcohol. So - when you drink take nalrexone + NAC (1200mg) one hour before.

This helps to protect the liver, pancreas, heart... and you won't get a hangover.

My Pdoc knows that NTX only helps when it's taken before drinking. He doesn't recommend taking it daily.

Yesterday I did drink 12 beers. I haven't slept for ~72 hours. But that's not an excuse for drinking!

Today I didn't drank at all. But my decision is the following: I won't wait another 7-8 days for the visit to the pschiatrist, but see a doctor tommorow who prescribes my Naltrexone (and if possible Baclofen 25mg - 3 times a day).

Maybe it doesn't matter: But after seeing my best friend, his wife and his young girl, I was of course happy that they are happy. I love childs: They say what they think and think what they say. But then again it remindes me that I haven't yet a family.

I'll try to take a nap now.

So good "night" and good luck!

I have my naltrexone now. The alcohol consum already decreased, probably because I could sleep again for full 6 hours.

Just want to tell you that I take some supplements for harm reduction too.

I believe in TSM, but in the end it means drinking (and taking NTX before).

Altough I'm pretty young - I'm feeling that the alcohol hurts my body.

So I take PPC (polyenylphosphatidylcholine), NAC, lipoic acid & SAM-e.

I have also heard that milk thistle is a good liver detoxifier, but am all for something safe that reduces hangovers.... Brand name? And where does one get this NAC?

Milk thistle / silymarin 140mg is a supplement I also take three times a day, because it protects the liver and pancreas from the toxic metabolite of alcohol.

Of course I do NOT recommend using a lot of supplements and then think "I can drink a LOT", because I take all those supplements.

But TSM requires consuming alcohol (+ NTX) and of course until our drinking has gone down. we shall protect our body.

This doesn't just mean taking supplements, but also having a healthy life style.

NAC is a supplement in the US, but it's also an OTC drug you can get in every drug store. When drinking a lot, take 1.200mg NAC (+NTX) one hour before the alcohol and take NAC 600mg (1 pill) ~ every one or two hours. Vitamin B's and much water are also important.

There is pretty much no way to OD NAC. The most common reason for acute liver failure is acetaminophen overdose and because NAC boosts GSH levels (which helps to detoxify an aggressive metabolite of acetaminophen) extremely high doses of NAC are given to this patients. As long as a really high dose of NAC isn't injected very fast, no harm will be done.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcysteine

There is a new N-acetylcysteine Plus Naltrexone study currently recruiting participants by the way: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01214083