Hello all,

I've been lurking around and reading posts for a couple of weeks now. I have not started TSM yet but I have decided that I definitely want to try it, and immediately. I have not read the book yet, but am looking forward to it. I just wanted to introduce myself, give a little background on my story, and ask for a little bit of advice.

I am 25, and I have been drinking since I was eighteen. The heavy drinking (by heavy I mean drinking wine until I pass out for 4/5 nights a week) started a couple of years ago. For the most part, with a few exceptions, I've still been highly functional. I have a good job (though very stressful), and I'm also pursuing my bachelor's degree-my GPA is very high. However, I'm miserable. I can't stand the shame and lowered productivity that comes with drinking, or always feeling at best tired and at worst like I have food poisoning. The worst is the sick, dreadful feeling when you wake up and think, "My God, what did I do last night?"

Anyway, after doing my own research, I've come to the conclusion that there is no right way for everyone as far as alcoholism treatment is concerned. AA works for some people; but I don't personally believe in it. I've been to meetings and they were awful (for me). I think TSM might be the right fit for me, but I have a couple of concerns after reading the boards.

Basically--I'm trying to find the best way to get the Nal. I'm looking for a psychiatrist. I also have depression and I've had some traumatic and very painful events in my past (part of why I started drinking--to self-medicate). So I need therapy, definitely. In a perfect world I would explain to him/her that I want to try TSM and they would prescribe the Nal and help me through however long it takes. Now, I'm concerned about admitting the actual reason I want it and wonder if I should just pretend to be abstaining. From reading posts here, it seems that that would be my best chance for actually getting the rx.

In addition, I am concerned about privacy. I am pursuing a career in the healthcare field and though I wouldn't care if alcohol dependence was on my record, I'm concerned that it will hinder me from getting a job, and even health insurance in the future. So perhaps I should just order from an online pharmacy and not mention it to my psychiatrist?

Any thoughts that anyone has would be greatly appreciated. I'm so glad that I found this forum!

First of all... Welcome!

It appears that you answered your own question in the paragraph regarding a psychiatric condition that has been triggered by traumatic events causing you to self-medicate into alcoholism. So, you've already deduced that a psychiatrist is your best approach. Regarding how you use your Naltrexone once you get it and however you take it, that is between you and your conscience. There are many scenarios, full truth, partial truth, and manipulative. Also, there is the online pharmacy route. It is your choice as to how best to reach your goals.

Regarding having something on your record that could hurt your career, that fear is a real one. I'm fighting a battle with the State to keep my drivers license even though I have no arrests, DUI's, stops or points on my record. I have never even met a law enforcement person will under-the-influence since I was a lone at-home evening drinker. Yet somehow the State has gotten information that I had an alcohol problem and required proof from a professional that I was fit to drive. The case is still pending. So, your lesson from my experience is to be very careful and almost paranoid about hiding the stigma of your treatment. Unfortunately, society would rather have untreated drunks lying about their problem, than those who have successfully treated theirs as I have.

Bob

a primary care physician can prescribe it, too-- doesn't have to be a psychiatrist.

if you decide to go the doctor route, read the book first, take it with you to the doctor's and explain what you want and why. In my experience, most doctors will be open to prescribing it since it's a relatively benign drug.

Bob's experience with the state of Florida has been a shock, but don't let that stop you from seeking treatment.

Welcome Bella,

I too had to lie to my shrink.

Sadly, I just stated that i was abstaining. She didn't have the time to see what TSM was about.

Bob3D has freaked us all out too. I'm waiting for Johnny Law to do teh same to me....BUT<...I'm hoping his case is an exception. So I live in Mass. ALso I have heard that Life insurance folk are getting their mitts on this supposed confidential info and not giving life insurance. Its real sad,...but otherwise (NAL)its real expensive and I'm lucky enough to have insurance so that NAL is cheap and the shrink is only a $15 co-pay (nal is $15 too). So good luck, welcome.

Everyone and i mean everyone here is a beautiful person....so not to worry about asking questions, but that being said, there is a wealth of information, so it may behoove you to spend a few hours on FAQ's and just lurk about,...learn side effects (not too bad for most about a week tops,..I had virtually none),read peoples stories....etc. Take care and good luck, BEst, JIm