Daily vs. Binge Drinkers and Other Questions...

hopefulwoman · **Joined:** Sat Jun 01, 2013 8:03 pm **Posts:** 26

Hello. I am new here and was in the process of writing my introduction before I accidentally tapped the wrong key and *poof*, my masterpiece was gone.

I have a few questions:

From what I've read so far on here, it seems as if binge drinkers experience more success with TSM vs. daily drinkers. Is this true?

I bought some ReVia years ago, before I knew of TSM. I tried it and it def. seemed to work to reduce the amount that I drank and for some reason, I forgot that I had it and quit using it. I think part of me was nervous that I had bought it from the internet and was leery about taking it (I'm over that now). Anyway, it expired in 2009. Yes, 2009, and as I type this, I wonder why I'm even going to ask this: while I await my new order, it would be unwise to give the expired medicine a shot, correct? 6 years ago I was nervous about taking medication that I had bought online and today I am contemplating taking EXPIRED medicine that I bought online. Hmmmmmm.

Lastly, for those that have been there, done that, what advice do you have for someone just starting out? I have read, for example, that it is advised to have a goal of squeezing in more abstinent days in between drinking days. This won't be super difficult for me, as I don't drink often, but when I do, I binge for days. It's as if alcohol takes control from the very first sip (and it has been that way since the very first time I drank alcohol). It takes over from there and I can't seem to drink enough nor fast enough. Then the next day I feel so physically awful and the only thing to ease the pain is "the hair of the dog" and from there the cycle begins. I would love to be a social drinker who could be satisfied with one or two drinks. To hear the voice that says, "OK lil' lady, you've had enough." Anyway, any other tips or advice?

Thanks so much, everyone. I am very happy to be here and have a positive feeling that this is going to work for me.

hopefulwoman · **Joined:** Sat Jun 01, 2013 8:03 pm **Posts:** 26

I hope the large font is acceptable. Although 38 years old and with 20/20 vision, I personally prefer large font, myself.

barryb · **Posted:** Sun Jun 02, 2013 7:18 pm

I haven't personally seen any real evidence one way or another concerning daily vs. binge drinkers. I think a lot of people here would qualify as "daily binge drinkers." "Daily drinkers" to me would imply some level of moderation or self-control. I would guess the reason some binge drinkers might have more success is that (a) binge-drinking is very much related to endorphin rushes, and (b) the classic binge-drinker is already able to abstain for days or weeks on end. If someone is sensitive to Naltrexone, binging simply is not an option. For myself, binge drinking on Naltrexone would be like lining up chocolate shakes and trying to see how many I could drink (ie getting past three would take effort and would be largely unpleasant). Good luck to you, anyway! Everyone seems to have their own reaction, so you'll just have to dive in and see what happens.

hopefulwoman · **Joined:** Sat Jun 01, 2013 8:03 pm **Posts:** 26

Thanks, Barry. I am most def. "b", the classic binge drinker. I can go for weeks without drinking but when I do, it almost always turns into a days- binge.

Barry, I don't understand...you say binging on Nal is not an option. Isn't that the point? Doesn't Nal help a person to moderate more easily the amount that they drink? Also, from your response I understand that a person's success on Nal depends a lot on their reaction to Nal. True?

Thank you for replying.

barryb · **Posted:** Sun Jun 02, 2013 10:14 pm

I'm saying, for me, I just can't do it. For others, oh yeah, you can still binge. I don't think anyone knows exactly how Naltrexone and TSM works -- surely there are numerous variables including genetics (there is a certain marker that seems to make one more sensitive to Naltrexone), biochemistry, diet, personality, psychology, etc... at play that determine one's response. Again, nobody knows how TSM will work for themselves until they try it.

CuriousOne · **Joined:** Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:29 am **Posts:** 420

Hi Hopeful and welcome,

Try not to over analyse it too much. Whether you binge or drink daily isn't really that important, the important thing is to always follow the Golden Rule: take 50mg of Nal one hour before you drink, always. You already felt the positive effects of Nal in 2009 so you know it works, the key is to follow the golden rule long enough for extinction to happen.

Another thing that I fins really helpful is to never, ever drink on an empty stomach. Try it, it works.

Good luck.

Curi

Flaco · **Joined:** Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:28 am **Posts:** 19

I am stuggling with the binge drinking. I can have four of five AF days and then I decide I want to drink socially on weekends. I tell myself one or two drinks and I'll stop... never happens! I think it takes more than two drinks of scotch for me to get the buzz, or maybe it takes longer to get a buzz than what it takes to drink the twwo drinks, but in any cas I overdo it and I feel terrible next day. Phisically (hangover) and emotionally because I couldn't be disciplined.
I do not understand the biochemistry behind Naltrexone and hopefully someone can explain how it works so I can use it effectively. If Nal controls my cravings and the brains desire for additional alcohol, why is it not working after the first drink?
Is Dr. Eskapa or others conducting any research on doubling the Nal dosage? On chewing vs. swallowing whole? I have read postings on this site that say they chew the tablets and it works for them, others say they don't notice any difference. Another posting said that he takes another Nal tablet after 3 hours and that helps with preventing binges. I am very curious about new research in this fascinating field but I don't see anything new. I have been on TSM for almost 19 months and getting VERY frustrated that I am still drinking half a gallon of 40 proof liquor every weekend.

Any insight? Any scientifically proven method to make the treatment more effective?

kekede · **Joined:** Sat Sep 11, 2010 12:05 pm **Posts:** 325

Welcome Hopeful, I asked this a while back and found that there is no "right" answer. I went from a daily wine binger to an every few days binger. These changes were to help me through this and cuz I really enjoy the mornings after an AF day. Regardless, I have a "never enough" problem and am hoping to control it with the help of Nal. The process has been a real be-oche, but I'm still here and seem to be making some progress. I have to repeat what others have said, "don't over think it and let the Nal to it's thing. Easier said than done, but stick with it, don't give up, and you should see progress. Keek

kekede · **Joined:** Sat Sep 11, 2010 12:05 pm **Posts:** 325

I have a question for Curious One, I noticed titrating down seem to help. Care to explain?

lorrainem1 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 04, 2013 1:56 pm

Hi Hopefulwoman .. and welcome

Hope your Nal arrives soon and you get off to a good start. Im only 3 1/2 months in .. but I got some good advice early on from Barryb ... he told me that Nal works .. but you do need a little bit of effort too. If you are serious about this .. a little bit of willpower and distraction after that first drink or two will really help. Yes, carry on and drink "normally" after your one hour wait ... but a bit of "taking your time" initially - maybe find some way to space out your drinks by doing something else in between ... really helped me.

You will hopefully slow your drinking down without realising it ... but it helped me to take a bit of time over the first drink and not rush into the second .,. then before I knew it ... it was bedtime and second drink not even finished. (now this doesn't happen all the time ... but it does quite a lot of evenings when I'm only really planning on having a couple of drinks).

Good luck and keep us posted Lorraine

Daily vs. Binge Drinkers and Other Questions...

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