Hi All,

I'm new to the board and and want to say hello and tell you a little about me.

I have had a few incidents drinking when my wife is around that has ended in her threatening to leave me if I dont stop drinking. We have a young child together and I don't want to lose them. My wife usually winds me up at the best of times but when I'm drinking I retaliate and the arguments escalate to a point where the she calls me an alcoholic and blames it on my drinking.

I have previously been on Campral which helped to stop me drinking for a while but I eventually ended up drinking again. I started taking Naltrexone three days ago after reading about it on MWO and about TSM here. I went to my usual doctor and explained that the Campral wasnt effective and I would like to try Naltrexone, he hadn't heard of it and looked it up on his computer. He initially seemed hesitant and said that it was for heroin users but I told him I had heard it was for alcohol too and after some more reading on his computer he agreed to prescribe it to me. He gave me a script for Revia with one repeat. My usual pharmacy didnt have it in stock but I was able to get it from a different pharmacy across town for $34.20 which is the same price as the Campral here in Australia.

So I started taking the Naltrexone together with the left over Campral that I had but stopped taking the Campral today because I thought it may have been causing my nausea however I now think that may be caused by the Naltrexone.

Since taking the Naltrexone I haven't found myself wanting to drink but have been forcing myself to have at least two beers each day as per TSM. Its a strange feeling being affected by alcohol while on Naltrexone, I know that I am affected because of the impaired coordination and sedation but at the same time I feel I'm at a place outside of it because I dont have the euphoric feelings that I usually get. I just get tired and grumpy - which are the the effects I usually get after the initial euphoria is gone (and then I drink more and faster to try and bring the euphoria back) I dont know if this is just initial side effects or how it is all the time.

I also have nausea and feel low and tired a lot. Im going to bed earlier than what I usually would and have less interest in things that I usually like doing. I hope this goes away soon.

Can anyone tell me if its ok to only drink every second day on TSM? I used to drink every day but now Im just not interested.

Hi Stabilo - You are in the right place.

Read everything you can about TSM on this board and get the book from Dr. Eskapa. It is important to know the protocol inside and out to be successful. Make certain you track your units in a diary and always take Nal one hour before Al.

It doesn't matter how you drink on Nal.....every day....every other day or any schedule that involves a craving. The goal of TSM is extinction so we drink to extinguish the addiction. It does sound like you may be in the initial honeymoon phase of TSM which involves a lowered interest in alcohol, so enjoy that but know that it may change next week. The first few months of TSM are a real roller coaster ride and you may find your units per session are all over the place.

Good luck, and welcome aboard.

Welcome Stabilo, it sounds like you're experiencing naltrexone's suppression of the first drink effect. If you don't feel like drinking don't take nal and don't drink. Your wife will enjoy the break from drinking. Don't be surprised if you return to nightly drinking or see a return to same or higher numbers than pre Sinclair method. If it doesn't happen great but be ready for it and don't despair. Getting your drinking under control is the best gift you can give your family. Once the drunkenness is gone it's amazing how much easier life is.

Welcome. Everything they say above is spot on, IMO. The nausea is almost certainly a side effect of Naltrexone. The good news is that it is fleeting; the bad news is that once the Naltrexone side effects go away, so will your disinterest in drinking. That's been the experience of almost everyone here, anyway. And more really good news: Naltrexone is clearly impacting your brain and you almost certainly will be in the 80% or so it works for. But it's a roller coaster so be prepared for drinking at pre-TSM levels before too long. It will be your body looking for the euphoria that Naltrexone inhibits. Once your body recognizes (subconsciously) that the endorphin rush caused by drinking is not coming back, you will find your cravings are gone and that you will have regained control of your habit. It takes a lot of time though: 6-12 months for most of us.

My best,

Nick

Hi All,

Just an update. Most of my nausea has now gone. Yesterday I took my Nal at 4pm expecting that I might have a drink at 5pm. However I ended up having two drinks at 8pm and found myself craving more after that

Im not sure if this is because I waited too long between taking the Nal and drinking or that the 'homeymoon' period has ended?

50 mg lasts 24 hours so the timing was not the issue. As I stated previously, once the side-effects of Naltrexeone wear off, so too does your diminished interest in drinking. This is totally typical and part of the roller coaster. Hang in there, it will work for you, but it will take many months. In the meantime, you will see a gradual increase in control and reduction in ass-like behavior.

My best,

Nick

Well I had about 5 units last night and still got the craving for more but it wasnt as bad as the night before.
I didnt sneak out of the house to go and buy more like I have done on other nights (although it did cross my mind)

Good luck Stabilo. Like you, I am early in the process and hoping for the best.

Hi all,

Just an update to let you know that all is going well. I'm still taking naltrexone and it is reducing my desire to drink once I start drinking. Im usually satisified after two beers now where I used to just want more and more and more.

Stabilo

Great news. Congratulations.