Hi all.Ok I thought hard about where to post this question..I almost posted it in the ask Dr.Eskapa section.But I want practical advice..So here I go..Does tsm work for cross addicted alcoholic/crack addicts??Myself,I am a straight up alcoholic(never even smoked pot)but my last stint in AA,I got involved with a crack addict..We both became disgusted with aa and eventually relapsed..Here is my fear..I live with this woman and love her..But crack relapse is not acceptable..As anyone who has spent any time in AA knows,the mainstream belief is that alcohol leads to crack..I've heard it hundreds of times at meetings..Is this true??Or are they separate addictions??Will my drinking lead her back to crack??Will she start doing crack if she starts doing tsm??and if she does start doing crack,will tsm extinguish that addiction also??Please understand,I have been involved with Aa for over 20 years and have drank my share of koolaid..I don't know what to believe..But this I know,tsm makes sense to me and has been working so far..But I have these fears and guilt engrained in me and I just don't know..Everyone around me says Im crazy,go back to Aa..But I don't want to..BUT,i dont want to lead someone I love back into the world of crack..Please,no opinions..I would really like to hear some truth about crack addiction..Is it the same as alcoholism??Can it be cured?? Thanks all for the ear..Have a good day

Cocaine was originally thought to work on the dopamine neurotransmitter and when I wrote my original reply to your question I was basing my answer on that knowledge. When I read Eskapa's book I didn't read the section on cocaine and crack very closely to be honest because it was not something I was interested in. I recently began re-reading the book and on this second read I realized that Eskapa gave some evidence that Cocaine and Crack cocaine are mediated through the opioidergic system and that naltrexone and TSM would be effective to treat cocaine addiction. He offered some evidence for this in section four of The Cure for Alcoholism.

I don't think TSM would work for crack either, however, I think I recall a chapter in the book about a guy who was into coke and booze and was cured? maybe they meant coca cola? I gave my book to my shrink and she still has it so I can't check, can anyone confirm, deny this?

I know people who have quit hard drugs who can have a drink or two every once in a while, however these are people who were never really into booze in the first place, just drugs. I know some who were in to both and relapsed will do coke if they are drinking, as the booze lowers inhibitions. Like myself for instance, I did a little blow with some friends one night a while back, I was jacked up, and the next day remembered why I never got really hard into coke. ouch! I do know that if I am not drinking I won't do any coke, so for me, the more TSM works the less likely I am to do that. I have never smoked crack and can't comment on that experience, but I do know it is like 10 times more addictive and is no joke.

side note: one night I took a couple of vicodins on Nal and the vicodin did NOTHING for me. which was a nice discovery. I always liked opiates on the side but AL was my favorite drug by far. what they say is true about Nal blocking opiates

I say be careful, it is probably different for each person, it may depend on whether she is truly cross addicted or is just a crack addict, like I said I know plenty of addicts who never drank hard, and still don't. I know others who kicked freebase and 15 years later became alcoholics. It is definitely not recommended that someone start drinking just to do TSM, but if she's already drinking anyway taking Nal couldn't hurt as far as I can see. and if TSM works, she's not likely to be hanging in environments where crack would be present, as normal people don't hang in such places. I'd talk to her and see if she can honestly do this. is she drinking currently? is she using crack currently? so many factors to consider, but No, TSM will not extinct crack addiction, and no, YOUR drinking should not lead her to crack IMO. her drinking might, depending on her situation. good luck! P.S I am not a doctor or phychologist, but I do feel this is a personal decision y'all need to make together after weighing all the options

Cocaine was originally thought to work on the dopamine neurotransmitter and when I wrote my original reply to your question I was basing my answer on that knowledge. When I read Eskapa's book I didn't read the section on cocaine and crack very closely to be honest because it was not something I was interested in. I recently began re-reading the book and on this second read I realized that Eskapa gave some evidence that Cocaine and Crack cocaine are mediated through the opioidergic system and that naltrexone and TSM would be effective to treat cocaine addiction. He offered some evidence for this in section four of The Cure for Alcoholism.

Thanks St.Vincent...Yeh,we read that too..We have given this alot of thought and my girlfriend has decided to get some naltrexone and try tsm..She decided that crack is a seperate addiction which she no longer craves..But the al cravings are still there,especially now that I am drinking with nal..So that must be a trigger for her..Anyways,Its too risky for her to try it with crack.But she is gonna give it a try with alcohol..We are just hoping that the al doesn't trigger the cocain addiction..She would never post her progress online but told me its OK for me to..So I will from time to time for the benefit of any other cross addicted folk who are in the same boat..Thanks again....Goodman.

There was a case report in the book of a guy named Pete who was cross addicted to alcohol/cocaine/crack cocaine but alcohol was his drug of choice (DOC). This guy's story was inspiring. He fought the good fight. Detox, rehab, 12 step, fought the cravings as the alcohol deprivation effect built then began to relapse but he relapsed with alcohol not crack. This guy had lost everything except his life and within 4 months reported he was a changed man. Good stuff. I wish you and your girlfriend well.

Ahhh,yes!! That is inspiring,thankyou St.Vincent..That is what I was looking for..Not that relapse with alcohol is a good thing..But we know now that there is a treatment for that..Thank you,I am very excited about this new found hope for my girlfriend also!!! Goodman

OK,this was a big leap of faith on our part..See,AA convinced my girlfriend that drinking leads to crack..So she was afraid to start tsm because of course she would have to Take nal and drink..Well anyways,she got a script and took a pill last night..I was out of town by the way..Well,She bought a six pack of those smirinoff things..Sorry,I never drank it and don't know how to spell it.Hahaha..Anyhow,she drank 4 and went to bed...No desire to drink more and no desire to run out and do crack..Oh well,Ive got my fingers crossed..This is a beautiful woman who beat a cocain addiction on her own..But the alcohol monster wouldn't go away..I think thos might work for her...Oh,and by the way,she had no desire to drink again today...Have a good night all...Goodman