Happy new year to everyone here!

It's a new year and I just worked out that I have been on Naltrexone for six and a half months now. If anything I'm drinking more than ever, up to two bottles of wine a night.
Is there any point keeping going?
My husband has lost patience, he wants me to stop drinking and has even been talking about a trial seperation if I don't stop.
Am I one of the people this just doesn't work for?
It seemed like such a lifeline, but now it's over half a year later and I am desperate. My husband, sister, parents, even my therapist want me to stop drinking and I don't want to. Can't probably anyway.
Anyone got any advice at all?
Feeling really lost and confused and just sad.
Best Wishes, Cerstin

Oh Cerstin, I feel so bad for you and I really understand your dilemma. So many of us do want to "stop" we just simply do not have the "switch."
I too was given the ultimatum by my husband, in fact we have dealt with lawyers and the arbitrator. But for me, with the use of Nal, at least I do not experience drunken behavior, I am not obstinate or belligerent. Prior to my nal use EVERY night, I created an argument, every morning I awakend, trying to remember, "What was that fight about?" Then I would spend my day doing everything I could think of to be nice, to try to make like the last night never happened., but it did.

I do not know what I can say to help you, just know that you are a person who is struggling with a serious addiction and in your heart you do want to do something about it. You are NOT saying, Yes, I want to throw my life away!" You are saying, I WANT TO GET MY LIFE BACK!"

SO DEAR, may I just simply send you my concerned best wishes. I hope you have a shift now.....

ART

Hi Pink -
So sorry it doesn't seem to be working for you either. There are quite a few of us. I have been on it since Feb 6th then upped my dose to 100 mgs in August with no change. I'm not sure anything will change at this point, but now afraid to drink without it "just in case" there is some magic in the long term. Luckily, I do not have anyone giving me a hard time about drinking except my own bad self!

If misery loves company, you've got some here, kid. I don't know what to tell you either, except perhaps it's time to up your dose. My DR was pretty optimistic about it at the time, now we are both thinking ehhhhhhhh, but he agrees I should not give up. Maybe that will work for you. Otherwise, just do what you can to cut back with the family, if that helps.


Good luck and try to stay positive - at least you are TRYING something.

XO

Thanks everyone for your replies.
Sorry to say this, but maybe Naltrexone isn't the miracle we were hoping for. As sad as this is, maybe my husband (infuriatingly) was right, "If it sounds too good to be true it usually is".
What does Mr Sinclair say to this? Are there any new studies? I thought the SM sounded so hopeful, as I couldn't see how anyone was making money out of this.
Sorry to sound so negative! I guess I am so so disappointed and desperate as I don't know where to go from here.
I would love to hear from someone this has worked for!
Lol to you all, really hope we will all find something that works for us this year!
C xx

Hi Cerstin -- I truly am sorry it isn't working yet for you. But for many here, naltrexone is EXACTLY the miracle they were hoping for. But for most, it does seem to take longer than the three-to-six months suggested in Eskapa's book. And many of us, while we have has dramatic reductions in our drinking and improvements in our lives, still are not at the point where they would consider it a cure. I've long suspected that those who are seeing dramatic improvement tend to drift away from here, while those struggling tend to post more.

Dr. Eskapa recently told a member here that if you have followed the protocol rigidly for six months with no improvement, it is time to consider other methods. I remember you from MyWayOut. Have you considered baclofen? Many whose marriage or health are in immediate jeopardy used it. Many are continuing with naltrexone along with baclofen.

It's got to be tough with pressure from a spouse. It's got to be tough not seeing the success you hoped for. Best wishes whatever you decide.

Hi Lena,
sigh, I have followed the program rigidly for the last six and a half months... I find it hard to give up and just looked at riverpharmacy to order some Naltrexone from there.... just to make sure that I am actually getting the real deal. So far I have ordered from unitedpharmacies.com.
It's hard to admit this doesn't work for me. I will check out Baclofen - it's either that or just go to bed and hope to not have to get up again.
Thanks for the tip re Baclofen.
C x

hi PM, I have only just started my second day on Nal and have been on Bac for 2 weeks. AS I am so new I know Im not in any way an expert but there seem to be a lot of evidence that it takes a lot longer for the Nal to work. in some cases up to 9 months. I think you should stick it out, in fact I think i would madness for you now to give up. It could be that you are very near the finish line and you just dont see it!

Well, still taking the Nal, but I've also received the order of Baclofen. Just reading Olivier Ameisen's book now to see how much to take!
Actually had four consecutive AF days last week. Quite surprisingly as I didn't really plan this. Not so great this week, two so far but drinking right now. It's been a horrible day and this will calm me down - sigh.
Thanks for the encouragement everyone! Let's keep going and looking for rescue - C xx