Today I am on my third AF (and Naltrexone Free) day in a row for this week. I hear people talking about an endorphin rush that occurs after a couple of days off Naltrexone. I have yet to experience this in any obvious way. Yesterday I went for a run and actually felt tired and weak. Does anyone have any insight on this issue? Thanks!

That's part of "selective extinction" and it's something you have to go after. The opioid receptors are more sensitive on the 2nd afternoon after your last Nal (assuming you start drinking in the afternoon) give or take. That's when you want to go for an endorphin-releasing activity, like vigorous exercise, sex, eating spicy food, watching a great comedy, etc. That allows you to replace the drinking habit with a healthy habit.

Deuce - I felt no different on the days that I did or did not take the nal. Everyone is different and you might be more like me and not feel anything ....but then I never used to get a runner's high anyway when I ran..... always envied those who did!

Hugs, Maggie

That's interesting. I have read other people on this board talking about a euphoric feeling they would get drinking alcohol pre-naltrexone. I definitely remember feeling euphoric on a few occasions but that was by no means my regular experience and was usually associated with some external experience going on like a concert or hanging out with friends. At the time I decided to start with TSM I was drinking more than I wanted to drink mainly because it calmed an anxious feeling I would get at night. I would certainly feel mellow but not euphoric. I wonder if there is a connection between this and my not experiencing the endorphin rush and why it felt like it took a while for naltrexone to start working...

I think the euphoria is like everything else associated with naltrexone - we are all different! I really envied the runner's that got that high when they ran - ONE time in my entire life I got it - it was amazing! Once though and that was it. So, I think I am somewhat even in temperament - no highs and no lows - which is fine - the nal still worked for me.

hugs, Maggie

I too didn't feel drastically different on or off Nal. and yet I enjoy things generally associated with endorphin rushes (running, cycling, motorcycling, etc). I wouldn't be too concerned, as i feel everyone reacts to Nal differently, and everyone gets a different kind of feeling from these activities. i DO think it's important to try to replace your usual drinking time with activities you truly enjoy, or things you've always wanted to pursue. a great thing about TSM is discovering all the stuff you can get done when you're not drinking!

Thanks Zontar - I started TSM wondering if I would ever have fun again because I so deeply associated having fun with drinking (even though it was rarely fun anymore). Even the non drinking activities I used to think were fun were not really enjoyable anymore. But gradually I see that mindset sort of melting away. Recently I have been finding small bits of joy in non drinking activities. The important point I think is that TSM just works (for most people) even though it is tough to believe that it will or understand how it will work, eventually things begin to fall into place on their own.

The rush and the chase were very clearly my problem with alcohol and personal unqualified opinion of TSM is that it works best for people like me who's primary issue is the opiodergic response. I know this because I went from 15 drinks a night to 3 within 3 days of starting TSM and after one year have never gone back.

Having said that I don't feel any different when I don't drink and don't take Naltrexone either. I almost always only take 1/4 tab so that could be why as well. Interestingly a couple months ago I took some pretty high strength and higher then normal dose of an opiod cough syrup about 3 days after stopping Naltrexone and it hardly had any effect. I'm not sure what was going on there but it's perhaps that Naltrexone lasts a bit longer in the system then normal.