The subject title says it all. NAL + AL = Nausea, abdominal bloating, headache, plus psychological and physical depression.
Makes me feel lousy. So, I have stopped the NAL for the time being, because I can function better without it as I drink.

Hmmm...if only I didn't freakin' like to drink so much. I still believe in the possibility of the merit of NAL, but it makes me feel so grotesque. I am still here with you all. Just trying to work through a lifetime of alcohol dependence, and get through to the other side. I will say, that having other goals in life to accomplish really seems to help curb my drinking. Whatever those goals might be for an individual, having specific life-achievement goals is paramount.

This is a new method (at least in terms of its public notoriety), and most of us in this forum are Guinea Pigs, it seems. Who out there are the proven examples of success with this method. And I am not speaking to 25 year old alcoholics, but more to people 50 years or older who have been drinking increasingly over their lifespan. How many success stories do we really have.

And what is the number of users of this forum? 10? 100? 1000? I think we are talking about a small subject study group; but, here we are. I only propose these questions in the name of growth and help to myself and others. Thank you to all who are dealing with this problem and participating with feedback, and god-bless.

Peace and love
Bud-Man

Hi Bud-man

I am 51 yrs old and have been a heavy daily drinker 30 years. My doctor has prescribed Naltrexone and feels that it may take up to a year to see definite results. She prescribed due to discussion with a colleague who attended a Medical conference in the USA. The concusion was that taking 50 mg per day will help the drinker over time, extinguish the habit of drinking.

I am in my 13th week and know that this medication is working as it should.

Gosh. Budman, your thread title REALLY encapsulates many of my experiences on nal+al Not so pleasant.
However, for me, it's important enough that I regain control over my drinking that I am willing to feel crap when I drink. At least for now. Only you can make that decision. And I don't always feel crap - below three drinks especially I can feel good. I know that if I don't take the nal, within a few days I might be back to black-out bingeing.
EL

Yes, your post pretty much sums up how I feel on it too but having said that, I am drinking a lot less and a lot "better" than I would were I not taking Nal. I'm hoping that this crappy feeling will create a negative association with drinking... ?? Anyway, I'm going to stick with it for a little longer.

Good luck

Curi

I think the depression might as well be from the loss of a dear friend, namely `getting drunk` ! One of the reasons some of us drink a lot is, we don`t like the alternative. Most of the time it`s too dull, boring, uninteresting etc. compared to being drunk. And/or there are things we are running away from. So when we get rid of drinking, some issues may arise that we have to face, which might cause some depression. I believe it`s a matter of choice. If it`s really important for us not to be a slave to alcohol, then it`s worth tolerating the depression for several days, until it gets better, and finding ways to cope with the side effects (thankfully I don`t have them, but I understand taking the pill after meals or in lower doses helps). I prefer having a little less pleasure and more controlled drinking to heavy drinking, binges, blackouts and all that comes with them.
Good luck to all !