I have chosen to edit this. I am going to use this thread as "MY" page. I will write of my cravings, moods, and failures and successes. Anyone is free to read and share with me as I continue on my "QUEST" against this monster "AL"


Hello all. I have been participating on MWO (mywayout.org) but for the last week and a half have been unable to access the site. I hope to get this fixed tomorrow.

ANYWAY I am joining in here and I am going to use this forum to keep track of my use of Bac and Nal.

I have been taking 15 to 25 mg of bac (divided up 3 x a day) and 50 mg nal (divided 2 x a day)
since December 26th 2008. I was using this formula as a deterrent for my habit of 24/7 use of AL (alcohol). I normally (for 35 plus years) have been drinking at least two bottles of wine a day, and cocktails also (cocktails could number from 0 to 10 per day). I did not always drink cocktails but I have for all these years always drank at least two bottles of wine.

Pretty much not drunk, just kept a steady flow in my blood. With the added cocktails, yes I would get "over the top."

Long story short, decided five years ago to address my AL consumption. Nothing I did helped me to decrease, hypnosis, therapy, exercise, naltrexone, a shot of Vivitrol, 30 day rehab, and other things.


So I started taking the Nal and the Bac. It enabled me to not drink, nor did I want to drink.

I have read the "Sinclair Method."

I have been able to not drink, and I really did not feel like drinking.

UNTIL RECENTLY - I started to have an insurmountable craving, so I bought a bottle of wine about 2 weeks ago and drank about 1/2 bottle. Then I was satisfied.

I did not have any urge to drink more, but then a day or two later I bought another bottle of wine and drank about a glass or two during the course of one day. And a little more the next day. The bottle is still here and I have not real desire to drink it.

I am going to submit this and continue and a little bit with the story.

CONTINUING- So what I would like to share is what I believe is helping me as I use my formula.

There are reasons I drink. One is I am addicted to the calm feeling I get when I have AL in my body. I believe the baclofen is chemically acting in my brain chemistry as a calmness inducer.

After an interaction that stresses me I am ready and triggered to drink. The use of the baclofen is keeping me calm and I do not react to the stresses.

I can not stress how much this affect is assisting me in my AL cravings.


But least we blame other people and stresses for my actions to drink, I am perfectly able to be on a fabulous vacation, traveling with no stress, and I manage to drink perfectly well all on my own, thank you very much!

So, dear fellow strugglers, I just want to share with you. Maybe this formula might help one of you to lessen your drinking and or your cravings on this journey. Maybe the introduction of the Baclofen may help you to lessen your stress and anxiety. The baclofen is a very commonly prescribed muscle relaxer.

Also currently at a university in (I believe) South Carolina there is a study underway right now with the same formula I am using and it will be interesting to see the results in a year with the different administrations of the meds.

I guess I am now doing a modified "Sinclair Method." I will keep up my post as my experience unfolds.

THE VERY BEST TO YOU ALL!

Thanks for this Ocean, it is very interesting- I am thrilled it is working so well for you.

It will probably also be very interesting for Greg, he seems to be leaning towards Baclofen.

For myself I am happy just taking the Nal, but if I find long term it does not work for me, (Unlikely because it does seem to be working-Thank God) I will try this.

Good luck Ocean and welcome. I can't speack to the Bac and have no idea if it is contraindicated with Nal but if you are working with an MD, that should be Okay.

Today I had a tough day, an hour and 1/2 session with therapist with husband. Prior to my use of Nal and Bac I would come home from these sessions and get totally blotted! Today I came home and have a glass (a very nice glass) of wine. That was all I wanted, or needed.

I just had a snack and am going to watch a movie. My mood is very calm and I am stress free with no cravings what-so-ever. Good night.....

Baclofen is a substitute drug for alcohol (acts to prevent GABA depletion caused by heavy alcohol consumption). It's fine as long as you keep taking it it may substutute for the alcohol which causes GABA depletion in the brain. It can produce withdrawal if suddenly stopped. It can be likened to methadone for heroin. Methadone does not cure heroin / morphine addiction it simply acts as a substitute drug to which you are addicted but may takes care of GABA withdrawal caused by heavy drinking.

You will however still benefit if you simply add naltrexone to your drinking.

Generally benzodiadepines do not go together with the Sinclair Method and we do not sanction de-addiction with naltrexone where benzodiadepines (e.g Valium, Librium).

All the best.

What I'm reading from Dr. Eskapa's post is that Baclofen is not recommended with The Sinclair Method.

Below is some of what I discovered here: http://home.pacbell.net/drcns/baclofen.htm

Baclofen is a medication that helps with muscle spasms, cramps and abnormally increased tone. It works on GABA receptors in the spinal cord and in the cerebellum. Baclofen is similar to benzodiazepines such as Valium® or Klonopin® in terms of effectiveness, but baclofen works mostly in the spinal cord and not as much in the brain. Since baclofen does not work as much in the brain, there tend to be fewer side effects compared with the benzodiazepines.

In the spinal cord, baclofen helps block some of the signals that go to the muscles, making the muscles contract less. This helps relieve cramps, shakes and spasms. If you use a lot of baclofen, the muscles can seem weak, because the signals are blocked too much. Also, if you too much baclofen, you may have a hard time controlling urine because the signals to the bladder muscles also can be blocked. If such problems occur, the dose is too high. You should decrease the dose and call the office for instructions.

Baclofen should be used carefully in cases of liver or kidney disease. Common side effects include sleepiness, especially when the medication is first started, lowered blood pressure and less likely, dizziness or confusion. Sometimes baclofen causes nausea or stomach upset.

The medication is titrated gradually as the patient tolerates to an effective dose. Every few days, after any initial sleepiness or other side effects go away, the dose can be increased to the next level. Go to the next level only if needed and only if you have no problems on the current level. Baclofen should NEVER be stopped suddenly.

Hi all here is a link to some information about the use of baclofen and naltrexone together
http://stanford.wellsphere.com/alcoholi ... wal/378302

Hope this entry works!