Massive reduction in booze intake this week. Think I found what will work for me. Here's to further success.

ashl, this is fantastic news! I'm also starting week ten, and planned an AF free day. Really haven't even given the AL much thought at all. I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever have a day like this. . .

I think I asked this elsewhere, but don't see the post. How much baclofen are you taking daily? I'm very tempted, after reading Dr. Ameisen's book, to add it to my pharmaceutical roster, as I've recently discovered there's an almost continual fine 'hum' of anxiety just below the surface of my conscious awareness. But then again, if I can get back, regularly, to prayer and meditation that will go a long way toward taking care of it.

Wow!
Wow!
Wow!

That is a significant decline from week 9 to week 10 (2.5 months). You cut your drinking by 1/3 after 2 ½ months. That in itself seems to confirm that TSM is in fact working for you. I am so happy that you posted.

How do you feel? Do you feel liberated? Or more in control? I know after being a slave to alcohol, there is nothing more repulsive than talking about alcohol, but please... we must know!

Thanks!

Bob

G4M - I currently take 20-80mg per day at 10mg maximum per hour. Will adjust it as and when necessary moving forward. I understand this is a low dose as compared to Dr Ameisen but I find the desire to drink is massively reduced. It still feels good to drink but I wait until evening and have much less. I seem to be able to take or leave it. If I get below 21 units per week I'll be ecstatic as this is effectively full remission.



Yes I am happy to say it is working for me! The overall reduction since pre S/M is about 2/3. I did fear it wasn't for a while and I definitely feel I needed the extra support from Baclofen but I'm getting near where I want to be.

I feel amazing! In control. Not permenantly hungover. It has really changed my perception of alcohol dependence and myself. I just wish I did this 5 years ago. Oh and I really don't mind talking about it - it reminds me of how grateful I am.

Interesting Thread.

May I ask why you take Baclofen? Is that part of the therapy or you have had it prescribed for a different purpose?

I am happy to hear it works for you. All the best to you!

Craving, I am taking the Baclofen specifically for alcohol addiction after reading the success of Dr Ameisen using it to treat his own addiction. Nal and Baclofen are not contra-indicated.

ashl, hope you don't mind my elaborating, here?

Cravings: Bacolofen is a muscle relaxant that has long been used safely and effectively to treat anxiety disorders. Many alcoholics drink b/c of underlying anxiety disorders - some would say the majority of us do this. Baclofen very quickly relieves this, which in turn greatly diminishes cravings.

Goin4More,

I knew that Baclofen is a muscle relaxant - I did not know though that it is used to treat anxiety disorders! The easier english word for me of "anxiety" is "fear". Isn't Baclofen that way more like an anti-depression like diazephine - including its addictive mechanismn?

Craving, anxiety is another word for fear, but sometimes is more generalized and non-specific. A person may have very real fear/anxiety over the prospect of losing their job, whereas general anxiety is more along the lines of, "What if this drinking affects my health?", "Am I meeting so-and-so's expectations," "Will I be able to pass that exam tomorrow?" and so on and so on. The fear may be totally or mostly groundless, but nonetheless creates anxiety.

Baclofen is a very effective treatment for anxiety. I understand it works quite fast, as compared to some anxiety/depression medications. (Anxiety is often the root of depression, as well.) It is not habit forming, nor does it affect clarity of thinking, etc. Your doctor would prescribe it in such a way that you very slowly increase your dosage over time. . .say, 5mg. twice a day, and then when you've adapted (sleepiness lessens), up to 10mg. 2Xdaily, etc.

The only problem I can see with it is that, while it is not addictive or habit-forming, a person cannot suddenly stop taking it, but must titrate their dosage down much the same way it was originally increased, or serious withdrawal symptoms can occur.

High doses of Baclofen enabled Dr. Olivier Ameisen, an eminent cardiologist from France who practiced in NYC until his addiction forced him to abandon his career, to completely overcome his addiction to alcohol after many years of being hopelessly afflicted. He wrote a book on the topic, The End of my Addiction. Fascinating stuff.

HOWEVER. Baclofen, if taken alone as a treatment for alcoholism, must be continued in relatively high doses for life. Dr. Eskapa likens it to methadone treatment - you trade dependence on one substance for dependence on another. The Sinclair Method, on the other hand, leads to a literal cure for alcoholism. Most people, myself included, would much prefer to be cured completely than to have to rely on another medication for life.

ashl is taking relatively small doses of baclofen in conjunction with Naltrexone, as he has a rather serious anxiety disorder that will not abate with the simple cessation or moderation of alcohol consumption. The baclofen is being used for anxiety, reducing his cravings, while the Naltrexone is being used for addiction extinction.

Sorry if this is long-winded. One of my downfalls. . .

Goin4More, Thank you for your the long explanation. I understand now the full implication of it.
Will stick with Nal only ...