well, i am considering requesting antabuse. anyone have any experience and advice?

thank you!

From the stories, I wouldn't touch it. If you just want to stop, then Campral would be a better bet. Antabuse can be a deadly drug if you drink on it.

What's your progress with Nal so far?

I did take it - but my tummy didn't like it. I used half a tab and then would not drink for three days! It was the only way I could have AF days! That was pre Nal - when I started Nal, I wanted some AF days so dug out my AB - took 1/8 tab (LOL) and would not drink that day - but even that small amount hurt my tummy so finally stopped taking it. It is okay as long as you do not drink - which I didn't! I had a friend who drank on it and she thought she was dying! I like Branston pickle - a relish with vinegar in it and once I had a cheese and pickle sandwich about half an hour after taking half a tab - and did have a reaction! Pounding heart, really weird feeling - most folk are not that sensitive to it, but you do have to be careful! Not trying to put you off, just letting you know what can happen!

hugs, Maggie x

I thought antabuse was going the way of lobotomies and leeches..

Sorry, but I concur and wouldn't touch the stuff. It's based on primitive premise of aversion therapy, which by and large has been shown to be bullshit...

I am a veteran who has contact with a lot of other vets with substance abuse issues, and on anecdote I heard was from an ex-Marine that said he and his infantry unit were forced to take it because of massive over-drinking in his barracks in the early 1980's, and they simply drank through it anyways. I do take that with a grain of salt though, knowing the source...

It is very unusual for me to be in any way shape or form controversial to what other people have said but having said that, I do think if it is something you have not tried, that you can not say if it is good or whatever. I would never take Bac, but by the same token and because I have never taken it I can only give my opinion on it and say I would choose to not use it. In the right hands, Antabuse can be an effective tool in the Arsenal of tools that we can all use against AL.

Have either of you tried it. Joe? NDF?

Maggie

I haven't tried it, Maggie. I've heard the horror stories about drinking on it though. Have a look at Ursula's experience with it here:

http://patient.info/forums/discuss/conc ... use-497870

wherein Joanna fairly unleashes a Hellfire missile on the notion and Paul Turner of Alcohol Home Treatment largely agrees. Misssy's experience with it gives pause for thought as well...

Now, I can see where it would work for you in the short term, but in the longer term, considering ADE into the picture, when the cravin' comes a-callin', should one ignore reason and logic (as often happens with AUD) and decide to have a drink anyway, one might pay the ultimate price should Antabuse still be in their system.

For those that might have gotten along with AA/abstinence alone and are unlikely to break abstinence in the first place, perhaps it gives them a bit more security and reinforces the notion that they can't ever take another sip, I can see it being a different story, but still a gamble.

Joe - I am not going to read your horror stories - I KNOW what can happen if one drinks on Antabuse. I have had friends who did - and they never did it again! I never had a cheese and pickle sandwich nor wore perfume when I had taken any AB, because of my sensitivity to it, BUT we are grown ups - and we KNOW not to drink on it - if your cravings are that bad, then yes, you are better off not taking AB. I know I would never drink on it no matter how bad the cravings were. But to just not even entertain the idea of it because others say so - surely it would be better to do ones own research, and decide for oneself? I did just that - was initially terrified of taking it but went ahead. The fear of the reaction stopped me from drinking every time ! It just really annoys me when others talk about something when they have not experienced it for themselves. Yes, you can quote others, but leave the decision up to the adults that we are.

Maggie

forwardthinking -

Aside from the replies here, you can also use the search function at the upper right (FAQ Search Members User Control Panel) to find posts that contain "antabuse", or you can simply search in Chrome for:

www.thesinclairmethod.net antabuse

Forward thinking,

Is there a reason for wanting the Antabuse? Are you struggling with TSM? Do you think it is not working for you?

I think you need to do whatever it takes to get you where you need to be, but if you are trying to speed up the progress of TSM it just will not work.

If you think taking Antabuse to help you with an AF day for a reason (like having a blood test, work meeting were alcohol will be there), again I stress you need to do whatever it takes to where you need to be. I see no harm in it unless you are going to drink on Antabuse.

I do not think Antabuse helps with the cravings of alcohol, and it only makes you feel ill if you drink, which (in my opinion) is counterproductive with the TSM process.

Jaba

thanks everyone for your feedback. i guess i am just getting tired of this process but i am not sure that antabuse would help anyways. i still havent had an alcohol free day. my relationship with alcohol has changed a lot and my habits around it have as well. but i will still binge drink at night on my own before bed. im just frustrated with myself but i am also trying to be kind to the process. i am afraid of falling behind or it all having been a waste.