My doc didn't tell me anything - not even that I'm supposed to keep drinking. Had to do my own research, so I have the following questions:

1) Does alcohol still produce noticeable effects when you drink? - pleasure, buzz, drunkenness, anything
2) Will Nal produce a hangover if I drink only a reasonable amount (ie. much, much less than I normally would - say, a few beers)?
a)That is, will it make me acutely sensitive to alcohol like antabuse?

Today is my 7th day without a drink, so I'm not experiencing any shakes right now, but I'm craving hard. I'm supposed to be studying, writing papers for a masters project but I can't concentrate. I'm worried because what I usually do when I'm stressed out about school is drink - because then I'll be drunk, and I probably won't do any work. I'd like to be able to take the Nal and have the drink to get the craving out of the way, and stay sober enough to work. So will a beer or two work like it typically does and cause me to drink so much that I won't work? Or will it help me maintain control enough to manage life *like a normal person*? I think that's the goal of this medication, if my information has been correct so far.

Thanks,

J

Welcome J!

Here are some answers to your questions based on my experience. (note I am not a doctor.)

1. Yes you will still experience pleasure, buzz and drunkenness on nal

2. I have had worse hangovers on nal than I normally did even if I didn't drink very much. A few beers might not cause you a noticeable hangover though.

3. Some people experience nausea on nal, but it shouldn't be anything like antabuse with violent vomiting and stuff.

Are you taking nal and not drinking? It is my understanding that you should only take nal an hour before you drink in order for it to work. I know you are busy with school work but you should check out 'The Cure for Alcoholism' because it has really valuable info on naltrexone.

Good luck to you!

~Pam

I drink like a 'normal' drinker with Nal, in that I can get drunk and make myself if I want to - however I am able to stop before that point, even at one or two drinks if I wish. Nal did make my drinking much safer, right from the word 'Go'. This then encouraged me to drink every night - but I was still able to function during the day, and over time I found the amount consumed reduced dramatically as did my cravings when I had AF days.

Alcohol still makes me drunk, but I don't feel the burning drive to chase it. It does also make me feel tired, part of which is a nal side-effect, part of which however is a normal effect of alcohol consumption.