Hi, I posted this in another topic also, but thought maybe someone might answer it here. I just started taking Naltrexone last Monday. (7 days ago) I was amazed that it worked immediately! I thought it could take up to 3 months to work. But the very first day I took the pill (50 mg) and had a glass of wine an hour later. I drank it slowly (never happens) and didn't need another. But I did pour another but didn't finish it. And, my when my husband was having drinks later that evening I had no interest. Normally I couldn't let him drink without also having something. Most of the rest of the week went similarly. I did have some side effects that have mostly gone- upset stomach, jittery, hard to sleep. I'm still not sleeping well, and the worst thing which I have not seen anyone else mentioning is that I've been sweating A LOT at night. So much that I'm getting up and changing my night shirt 2 or 3 times, and twice I had to actually change the sheets. I'm 53 years old and used to have hot flashes and night sweats but that's pretty much been over until now.

I've pretty much had 1- 3 drinks each day this week, and some days did not finish the last one. Before this week I was drinking a half large bottle of wine or more, or sometimes half bottle of vodka most days. I have not been having any cravings. It's been more of a habit.

But yesterday was different and I don't know why. I took the pill and went grocery shopping it took longer than expected and it was almost 2 hours instead of one when I had my first drink. I had a kind of large glass of wine. (Finished the bottle that lasted all week!) I noticed that I really seemed to enjoy it, which has not been the case before while taking these pills. After dinner while watching tv I made a vodka tonic. I enjoyed that too, and ended up drinking more than I counted. I'm not sure, maybe 6. I got that feeling that I finally feel good again and so stayed up till 3am drinking. Felt like **** this morning and I don't understand what happened. I was considering having no alcohol today but couldn't bring myself to go there yet and just took the pill an hour ago and am having a vodka tonic now. I'm going to try to limit it to 1 or two.

Does anyone know what happened yesterday? Any suggestions?

Hi Taurus and welcome!

Most people do have a "Honeymoon Effect" with TSM, an initial drop followed by a sudden increase. It's the addicted part of the brain reaching out harder for it's "favorite toy". Just when that happens seems to vary from person to person. Your drinking should roll off more slowly from here, just concentrate on staying compliant and waiting the hour. I really don't think an extra hour would have a negative effect, as you're covered by Naltrexone for 12 hours from the time you take it.

The sweating could be a side effect, but it could also be alcohol withdrawal. I don't recall a lot of people complaining about sweating. I myself was sweating at night off and on before I started TSM, but I don't recall it being a big problem after starting. If you were taking any opiates (hydrocodone, codeine, etc), Nal would block the hell out of those and send you into withdrawal, which would indeed include sweating.

Just so you have a smoother journey, I'd suggest staying away from the hard stuff. Some people don't have a problem with it, some do.

Asking yourself if you really want a 3rd drink is a really good idea. For the most part, we let craving set the number of drinking days and let conscious control set the number of drinks per day. You're really looking for that "Meh" experience that means you're ambivalent towards another drink. At that point, switch to something non alcoholic and be done with the booze for the evening. So good work on selecting that target.

Again, welcome and we're glad you're sharing your journey with us! Looks like 2017 is going to be the last year you're run around by the booze beast!

Hi Joe,
Thank you for the welcome and for the reply. That's helpful. I was not sure what the "honeymoon period" was that I kept seeing mentioned. Well, if that was it and it gets easier now, that's good. Last night was better. I had just one drink that I didn't even quite finish, so i feel like I'm back on track.
This is an interesting, definitely somewhat frustrating journey. I'm looking froward to enjoying life without alcohol hopefully in the not too distant future.

Welcome T.

Stick with it. Honeymoon phase is a good sign.

Don't ever break the golden rule - nal 1 hr before, EVERY TIME.
I also have a silver rule - lower your octane. This didn't matter at all when I was drinking hard pre-nal, because I would just pound beers until I was as lit as I wanted, and then piss my bed because of all the extra liquid, lol. But now it definitely matters.

I'm 5 years in. Still learning, still improving, but my life has gotten so much better and clearer in every way imaginable.

Self restraint is an interesting thing. For me, I had to have a period of a few months to adjust to the drug, then I started the restraint. I find replacement generally more effective than self-denial. IE if I want a margarita, I have a corona with lime. If I want a whiskey, I have a wine.

You can do it, and you are in the right place. Your life is going to get better