I came across TSM about a month ago, got the book, and read it immediately. I drink about 24-32 units a week on average. Sometimes more, sometimes less. I feel it's a problem and am quite interested in TSM as a way to regain control.

I know alot of people here have had success with online pharmacies but I really wanted to discuss any medication I take with my psych since I've had such success with him before. Well I had that meeting today, and it didn't go very well - in fact, I kind of feel like an idiot for even bringing it up.

He'd never heard of TSM, which is not a surprise, really. I came prepared for that - I had the doctor's letter and the chapter of the book for doctors, which he said he'd read and get back to me at my next appointment which is in about a month. So instead of having an informative discussion about TSM and Nal (and perhaps walking out with a script), it turned into a predictable discussion about substance abuse and what to do about it.

I figure there's no harm in that, except for the two things that really bug me.

First, he'll no longer prescribe Klonopin to me. I take a single Klonopin maybe once or twice a week to help me handle anxiety (which I've struggled with my whole life). I in no way mix Klonopin with alcohol. Klonopin I use to help me to keep from being anxious around other people, generally when I'm at work. I (only) drink at home when I feel like being an introvert. I never mix the two because I use them for different reasons.

He apparently thought I'd been taking one and half Klonopin doses a DAY, and went on and on about how he can't prescribe it to someone with an alcohol abuse problem. When I cleared it up that that was not the case, he visibly shifted in his chair and said "oh" - but by then it was too late, I'd mentioned alcohol so it was done. Bye bye Klonopin.

Which brings me to the second issue - I now have "worried about alcohol abuse" on my "permanent record". I feel quite vulnerable right now, because I've essentially admitted I have a problem to a guy with a pen who writes everything down, and I'm worried I'll now have to answer "yes" to the substance abuse questions that crop-up whenever I need to document my medical history.

I guess that's the part I feel worst about. I suppose I wanted to go "by the book" and check with my doctor who I trusted, but instead not only did I really get nothing out of that conversation, I feel like I just threw a whole lot of dirt into my medical record...

I dunno, maybe I'll just try this on my own. Thanks for reading. So far, I'm finding it difficult to even get started.

I can totally relate to how you feel. Imagine how I felt when I was turned down for health insurance, due, in part to "discussions of possible alcohol treatment with physician." And I've been paying inflated health insurance premiums for years because of it. The fact of the matter is, sometimes when we play by the rules and are honest, we are punished for our honesty. It sucks.

On the bright side, however you get your Naltrexone, it does work for the vast majority who try it.

Best of luck to you.

My best,

Nick

I am so sorry to hear that you and other people can't be honest with their doctors! That is truly a shame!

I am an MD, in the US, and I learned about this from another doctor at a conference. I wrote a script for my husband, from whom I've been separated because of his drinking. Then I called his psychiatrist and told him about this. He had never heard of this use for naltrexone, but was willing to take over and prescribe it. I will say my husband is improving and I am very hopeful for him, and even for our marriage!

I guess the best thing to do is to educate yourselves as best you can, and get it on line. I do always tell my patients that the more they learn about their health, the better off they are, and never to hesitate questioning their physician. We don't know everything!

Hi Ann

My GP has never treated anyone with Naltrexone either until I ask for it. She agreed to prescribe it after checking into it and based on findings at medical conference in the USA this past April that Naltrexone may help one drink less.

She is actively following my progress.

Slowly but surely the word will get out

a thought here - I had said it might be best to just buy it on-line, and bypass your doctor, before even finding out it he would be open-minded enough to consider it. I still think that is a good idea. Could prevent you from being "marked" as an insurance risk, as happened to Nick, or to have lost the trust of your doctor as happened to Tak Kat, who's doc will now not even give klonopin, which is helpful for anxiety and was not being abused.

I do want to give one warning. To the best of my understanding, naltrexone is metabolized as a narcotic. That means that if you are subject to a urine test for drugs, say for employment, a urine drug screening may show positive results for opioids. I don't believe the test can discriminate among the different classes. Positive results for heroin or the codeine in your cough syrup or naltrexone, would all be the same. Now, if you have a prescription for naltrexone or codeine or hydrocodone or a drug in this family you will be safe.

That said, if naltrexone is helping you stop alcohol excess, don't stop, just something to keep in mind.

Best,
Ann

I renewed my commitment to naltrexone about a month ago. It was working really well for me for a while, then I blew it and drank w/o taking the nal. That was a mistake. But I'm back to about 3-4 drinks per day then I feel satiated. I feel like I can take it or leave it!
The first time I'd ever heard of naltrexone was through my psychiatrist. She told me to take one everyday and if I started drinking again the results probably wouldn't be as devastating. So I was taking it every day and not drinking (for a couple of months) then I went on a binge and forgot about taking it every day. During this binge is when I came across this website after doing a search on naltrexone. Read the book and told my psychiatrist about it. Well, she kind of thought that TSM is just a marketing ploy and didn't give me her blessing but she didn't stop prescribing it either. Now I take it according to TSM. It seems to be working. I haven't been drunk once since I started using the nal again.