I learned about Naltrexone several weeks ago while googling alternatives to AA. I watched One Little Pill and decided I'd ask my doc about it at my checkup. Well, today was the day. He hadn't heard of using it for AUD, but he looked it up and verified. I'll be picking up my scrip tomorrow. 50mg. I didn't discuss TSM with him and he suggested I take it daily. He also suggested I wait until the weekend or until my summer break--I'm a teacher.

History: drinking since HS, 20 years. I quit buying bottles of liquor when I was in college and was putting down a fifth of vodka a day while sitting on the couch watching TV. Beer became my drug of choice. I've had 35+ in a binge. Eventually Miller Lite no longer did much for me, so I upgraded to ambers and IPAs, etc. I drink fewer units now and I ration myself, but I'm tired of always thinking about drinking and freaking out when I am out of beer before I'm ready to pass out.

I was drinking up to 100 Miller Lites a week. Recently, though, I have rationed myself down to 3-4 IPAs a day, M-Th. And 6-15 a day, Fr and Sa and a 6-pack on Sunday, so 24-45 a week. Once I start, if it's in the house, I'm more likely than not to continue drinking until it's gone.

I am looking forward to this and am simultaneously terrified of what my summer break, where every day is a weekend, will bring if I can't get it under control. I am a single father.

I have 2 questions:
Do I need to take it daily at first? I mean, I drink daily, so I assume I will be anyway, but what about days I don't want to drink. My doc said the side effects go away in a week or two (he has prescribed it for other uses). If I only take it every 3rd day or something, will the side effects persist?

I quit smoking 4.5 years ago with the help of the LiveStrong community. I'm hoping to find the same success here.

Welcome, Bmorri3 and congratulations on getting started with TSM!

Have a look at this link that gives some tips and tells you how to start out:

http://optionssavelives.freeforums.net/ ... hints-tips

It really is best to start with half of a pill, until you're clear of the side effects, then bump it up to a full pill. Have at least a small meal before you take the pill and take it with a full glass of water. It's best to start when you can be home the next day, some people do have a problem with the side effects, though others don't notice a thing. Once you're past the side effects, you're probably ok to take it without a meal.

Benzodiazepines can thwart TSM, so you may need to work out an alternative with your doctor if you're taking any sort of benzo. You won't find this info included with the Naltrexone.

Don't take Naltrexone if you've taken any meds containing opiates or meds based on opiates (such as codeine), as Naltrexone will block it and send you straight into withdrawal. If you already have Naltrexone in your system and take an opiate, it simply won't work. Info to this effect is included with the drug.

Aside from that, stick with the One Hour Rule and you should be good to go. There's a spreadsheet you can use to track your drinking and it really is a good tool to help move you along:

http://www.cthreefoundation.org/tsm-drink-log.html

Again, congratulations and if you have any questions, please let us know!

That's great! Thanks for the tips and support. I'm picking up my prescription today and think I'll take a half on Friday after work and see what happens! I am really excited.

Great! If you get time, pop in and let us know how it goes!

Hi Bmorri3,

You will find many people here envious that you got a script for nal. Congrats! TSM has cut my drinking in half and been a life saver for me. You will find a great group of people here to help you along your journey.

Dee

My doctor is very progressive. Born in Scandinavia , trained in South Africa, practicing in the mountains of North Carolina. Pretty unique. Whe I told him, he hadn't heard of it being prescribed for alcohol. He looked it up on some app, read about the research conducted, and agreed to do it. he dies want to meet with me rather frequently at first, every two to three weeks. He really believes in whole patient treatment and insisted on referring me for counseling as well. I don't really feel I need it, as I've had a pretty good life and I openly communicate with those I'm close with, but I may try it out--god knows I'm not perfect I love that he looks for root causes instead of just treating the symptoms. Anyway, don't kill the messenger!

Hi there and welcome! If you are meeting with your doc initially every two-three weeks, please ensure that he knows that this is not a quick fix - it took me 11 months but I have no desire to drink whatsoever now! I am sure that it might have been replied to earlier in your thread but you only take the nal if you are planning to drink - if you have a copy of Eskapa's book, there is a piece in the back for professionals that your doc can read - seeing as docs cannot give you the RX and tell you to go out and drink, they don't! But that is how Naltrexone works! Keep us posted on how you are doing!

Hugs, Maggie

I have my pill. It's in my pocket. Is it weird that I don't want to take it for fear that I'm not going to get my normal Friday relaxing buzz in front of a fire? I suppose I will be more excited if I don't feel the need to stay up until every beer is gone. I usually limit myself to a 6-pack on Friday night, but I'm bitter at the end of the night when I'm out. I am going to buy 12 tonight just to see what happens. I know this sounds like I don't drink much, but I have cut way back. And the cutting back stresses me out because I am always thinking about the next time I can binge.

Glad I talked it out. Taking the pill now, will have a beer in an hour and will see what happens. I plan on continuing to post for my benefit and memory. Should I start a thread somewhere else to track my progress?

Hi Bmorri3! Yes, you should start a progress thread. It was very helpful for me to read my progress thread on my nalaversary. I am not where I want to be, but I am much better off than I was when I started. I hope that the night goes well for you.

Dee

I don't know that beer drinkers all feel that much different. I was busting my knuckles fixing a roll-up garage door today, tired as hell by the time I got done. Warm day, I'm beat but got the door fixed, I was really feeling the call of First Beer of Summer (unofficial). Took my Nal in anticipation, I could feel a sincere crave coming on.

As usual, I find beer relaxing, calming and I even get the usual "buzz" from it.

It's just that my brain is remembering that connection less and less. Most of the week, I've been fine with one pint per night.