Hello Dr.Eskapa,

I have read that Naltrextone is not effective because it targets the wrong gaba receptor,ie the A receptor.On the other hand Baclofen works because it targets the B receptor.I'm not even sure I understand my question but am hoping you will throw some light on it.

Thank you Phoenix.

i am curious about where you might have read this. i haven't done any serious research on this and would love to read more about how these drugs work. the last time i quit drinking anxiety was a big issue for me and gaba supplements were a life saver.
thanks
path

Hi Phoenix,

Naltrexone does not affect gaba receptors. It blocks opioid receptors, and so blocks the endorphine response to alcohol.

You might be thinking of baclofen. It is a gaba_b agonist, which is to say that it enhances the role of gaba_b receptors.

It is all rather complicated. I took some time to try and figure it out, and posted a summary here.

Best,
-wort

wort,
thank you so much for all your time and effort researching, understanding, gathering and posting this info here. it looks like it will take me a good long while to sift through everything to get a better understanding. the mwo forums seem to include a lot of non information and i may not make it through them.

so far it seems like i fit every type of al addiction, serotonin boosting for sure, anxiety reduction almost certainly, and since i am having an altered feeling about drinking since being on nal, probably endorphins too. so, should i start earlier than later with baclofen? i am really afraid of the se’s, and would rather not add another med to the mix since i can be med sensitive, but given your hypothesis, perhaps it makes sense?
i sure wish i had a doc on board with this. on the other hand, the doc’s seem pretty behind the curve so that may not be that helpful.

my question to you is, why did you start baclofen so early? also, are you aware of any evidence that low dose bac has any efficacy?

many thanks to you (and all the researching trail blazers).
with fingers crossed,
path

Hi Path,

Make no mistake: I did not give TSM long enough to work. Baclofen is a much harder drug to take. The side effects are tough; too tough for some. I did not adequately understand how difficult baclofen would be when making the switch.

Some folks find the baclofen switch with relatively low doses. However, the approach pioneered by Ameisen is a high dose approach.

My advice: give TSM six months to a year to work. Make sure you are including as much "willpower" as you can - try your best to be AF as you wait for TSM to work. If no success, then find a doctor that will prescribe baclofen. This should be easier as more studies come out. For example, see http://www.mywayout.org/community/f20/first-clinical-test-baclofen-results-44569.html.

Good luck!
Best,
-wort

Thanks wort.it seems I have a lot more reading to do.I'm expecting the book any day and my nal is out for delivery per tracking.
I am so excited to get the ball rolling.
One thing,you said to try and have as many AF days as possible while doing nal but I thought the idea was not to overthink it and just carry on as usual.
Anyway,just have to figure out how to work out the unit thing now so i can keep track.
Cheers phoenix