Hello, I'm 33 years old. I can't live without alcohol and can't live with it as well. I feel so alone with my problem. Sorry for my poor english, I'm french from Quebec. I asked to a doctor for prescribing me Naltrexone because I can't deal with the cravings and I've tried everything (therapy, AA, etc). He gave me that prescription though he don't know the product. So, I tried it the first day, the craving was still present but I confronted it and didn't drink. I know now that revia alone does not work. , the next day, I was so in very bad shape due to Revia, I had a big headache, blurred vision and pain in the belly.

I've read a lot on internet about naltrexone and I've found the Sinclair Method... lot of positive comments about that. It sounds very logic to me and I strongly believe that method works for many persons. So, I applied the rules that you surely know... never take a drink without taking a pill one hour before and never take a pill when you're not going to drink... I have started that method and I drink less than I use to but, the days after, I'm so in bad shape due to Revia. I'm worrying about my internal organs and my brains also, I can't concentrate myself properly. It's worst than just alcohol... Maybe my body can't tolerate that... And I can't find a doctor that can help me about that... They probably don't know this method and for sure, they gonna tell me to stop that right now. It's still very controversial and unknown here. Therefore, I think my liver is not so affected... I'm 33 years old and I have 2 years of abstinence 3 years ago... I don't know what to do... do I continue this treatment ... 12 beers mixed with these pills, honestly, that is scaring me... I know this forum is pro sinclair method but life is precious ... and I don't want to kill myself...

Is there some doctor on this forum ?

Hi, Alexander. You've come to the right place though I would also suggest the optionssavelives forum:

http://optionssavelives.freeforums.net/threads/recent

There is a councilor there named Joanna who offers free skype sessions and here is her email contact: joanna@cthreeeurope

Regardless, do not get discouraged or over react as side effects are common and typically temporary. I'm not sure how long you've been at this, but it's generally recommended you start off at a 25mg dose for two or three days. That said if I'm understanding you correctly and you're are drinking twelve beers in a sitting what you could very well be experiencing is a NAL over. This is characterized as a wretched hangover. Ideally what you should be doing is drinking slowly, mindfully and recognizing that you are not getting the reward you are accustomed to. As such there is a subtle moment when one realizes this and stops drinking. Otherwise it is referred to as drinking through NAL. It is also suggested you have at least a small meal and a glass of water prior to taking Naltrexone.

Let us know how many days you've been on this and I'd encourage you to reach out to Joanna. We'll get you through this.

Alexander -

You can try taking half a pill until the side effects aren't as bad, but you should be taking 50mg as soon as you can tolerate it.

If you can't find a TSM doctor, you can connect with:

**New Addition - VERIFIED**
Dr. Mandy Manak, MD, ABAM, ISAM, CSAM, MRO
The Interior Chemical Dependency Office
239 Lansdowne Street
Kamloops, BC V2C 1X8
(Telehealth offered)
Phone: 778-471-6488
Fax: 778-471-6490
email: info@icdo.ca
www.chemicaldependency.ca

That's from this list:

http://www.cthreefoundation.org/find-a-physician.html

The "Verified" means they understand how to prescribe Naltrexone per TSM.

This is available all across Canada, as they use TeleHealth. There used to be just a couple of doctors in Canada, but TSM is catching on. It was really great hearing that The Interior Chemical Dependency Office started offering it.

You're probably getting side effects from the Nal, like Bardo says. Did you have a liver test first?

Well, schedule a session with the Doctor and then get ahold of Joanna, for sure.

How long have you had the side effects? Is it just your concentration?

Thanks for posting and please get back to us soon!

Alexander,

Please continue with it, for it will be worth it. The side effects will go away with time.

I worried about what the naltrexone was doing to my body, but if I continued to drink like I was the alcohol would do more harm with time.

As you go through TSM you will be drinking less and taking a break from the naltrexone. Your body and brain will thank you in the end.

I hope the side effects disappear soon.

Jaba

as Jaba said, continue if at all possible and eventually the side effects should subside. Canada now has a lot of support out there so you are definitely not alone. good luck!

Bonjour Alexander: well, with that I've almost exhausted my French. Welcome and stick with this. The side effects go away after a couple of weeks for almost everyone.

I look forward to reading about your progress.

Newlife