It has been mentioned that a test exists to check if a person would benefit from naltrexone or not. Does anyone know what this test is called ?

Morning Joe. I have never heard of a specific medical test. However, I've read many times here over the years that those who have an initial strong response to naltrexone are "most likely" to succeed. Is that the kind of language you are thinking about as a "test?"

How are things going?

Hi Rev,

I remember something in Eskapa`s book about a blood test, and later on saw several posts about it but one test that was mentioned was later dismissed for some reason, don`t really remember. But it is said that it is possible to predict if nal will be effective for someone by doing this test. Apart from the test it`s also said that having alcoholics in the family also is a sign it`ll help, but this is something else.

In general it`s not going too well with my wife`s situation, although, reading the diary I`ve been keeping, I realized that before nal life was a lot worse hell than it is now. Now she`s only damaging herself, back then she made it difficult for everybody, because of the binges mostly.

It's a DNA/genetic test - some people are genetically more likely to respond to Naltrexone than others. There are some companies out there offering testing for a wide range of genetically linked conditions, and the TSM indicator is one of them. I think it's done from a saliva sample.

I don't have a link to hand though.

Thanks UKBlonde, that was what I was talking about.

I found the thread:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2621

and the test site:

https://www.23andme.com/health/naltrexo ... -response/

but unfortunately also this:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21946895

I wonder if there`s anything else.

Sorry Joe, don't remember anything like that. Have you tried googling it? If having alcoholics in the family is a good thing - as far as nal working - then I'm all set! I've got plenty of them!!

Motivating your wife would seem to be the key. Unfortunately if she is still bingeing she's not able to see much improvement so can't feel that motivation. You can just keep on with what you are doing. From all we know putting her into rehab will be counter productive and the ADE will kick in once she starts drinking again.

Do I remember you posting that taking baclofen helped you a lot with anxiety? I'm a bit wary of ordering any only to find out it does not relieve my anxiety. I don't want to titrate up to "switch" level but if I could be convinced it would make me more tranquil I would order some. If I took low doses every day it would not have the side effects others have reported either....and I could afford it! Was your experience that you were less anxious when you were still on low dose? And did that tranquility persist once you started to up your dose?

Cross post with UKBlonde! I'll have to check out the links.

Baclofen really helps, definitely with anxiety, and possibly with cravings. I`m not yet sure if it`d be effective for moderation though.

At all levels up to 90mgs (which was my max up to now) I had sleepiness though, which might be difficult for some professions. Then again, I never stayed at one dose for longer than 10 days, maybe if I had, it would`ve gone.

I use baclofen occasionally to help me sleep, apart from that it just makes me feel woozy and horrible so don't feel any benefit from it. When it runs out I'll probably not take it again, but hoping by then I'll have a lot more stuff in my life sorted out so will be less stressed anyway.