Ditto for me Jazzman, I didn't start thinking about quitting until I paid severe consequences on the days following my binges. Total and complete depression, gloomy outlook, unbridled anxiety, a feeling of helplessness and worthlessness. I know exactly what you mean. And the reason we keep drinking in spite of all of the shitty consequences is because drinking from addiction IS NOT a rational choice. We drink even though we know it means we will lose our spouse, our family, our jobs, our money, our dignity, etc. So there is no cost/benefit analysis done by we addicts when we drink -- we are wired to drink and can't help it. But that wiring can be and will be undone when we drink on naltrexone. The endorphins that reinforced the behavior are no longer there and soon you will no longer have a positive association between drinking and events going on around us. And it happens at a subconscious level without us being aware of it. And it happens for the vast majority who try it -- at least 80% and more than that if you always take naltrexone one hour before drinking.

Welcome and keep us posted.

Nick

Hi all,

I was looking for the Sinclair Method and trying to do it the right way.. with a doctor’s care, etc. I found a doctor that was supposedly doing this and spent some significant money on this. I’m now on Naltrexone, Baclofen, Campral and now Zofran. I was looking for the extinction methodology and have to say that I couldn't find anyone in the DC area that seemed to be Sinclair-friendly. So I have an out-of-area doctor that is proscribing medication, but I feel like I’m taking a ton of drugs with a doctor who keeps saying “take what feels right”, instead of giving me a tried and true regiment. And now (two months in), my doctor is saying that it may be entirely psychological, therefore we need to look at AA or psychotherapy – which is honestly kinda pissing me off. (I’m not trying to diminish it as good for some people, but tried it, been there, didn't work for me.) I tried that and I just spent some not inconsiderable $ on a pharmacological solution – so wtf?

I have been able to give up drinking for periods of time. I don’t get DTs, physical cravings, etc. I don’t physically miss alcohol when I don’t have it. But I can’t give up for long periods of time because I miss how GREAT it makes me feel, (as well as how I realize that I like drinking myself into oblivion). I acknowledge that.

So my doctor proscribed Librium to go into detox (to see if the Naltrexone/Baclofen/Campral would then be more effective). I did that. Again, no issues with giving up for those nine days. Okay, I MISS the high. The wonderful feeling of drinking. But when I started drinking again (a week ago), I’m still not drinking one drink and then stopping. I’m drinking like crazy.

I've been on Naltrexone for 8 weeks now (I know I'm still "early by all of your posts) and I’m confused as I don’t feel a single bit different than when I wasn't on it. I’m willing to wait the 3-6 months it may take to see results, but if it’s blocking the opiate receptors (or similar – I may not have it perfectly right), shouldn't I feel different drinking?? I still feel the same rush – the exact same as I felt drinking without Naltrexone. I still feel as “great”. The Sinclair Method has an 80%+ success rate.
Does that mean I’m part of the –20%?? that doesn't respond to this therapy??

I feel nothing taking Campral, Naltrexone, Baclofen and Zofran. Nothing. No side effects which is cool I guess, but no difference in drinking feeling either. Is that normal?

I don’t know what to do now. I’m still trying the Naltrexone, but does it get affected by all the other drugs (Baclofen, Campral, Zofran – and for a while Librium)?

I don’t feel physical cravings, I just unfortunately love the rush alcohol gives and then once I have a drink, I can’t stop. I typically drink 12 beers or two bottles of wine a night. I need help. I have to stop. But this isn't working and I feel like I’m taking a crazy amount of drugs right now. Am I on the right path? My doctor says we should look to the psychological/spiritual angle now that things haven’t worked. That isn't helping. I've tried that.

What do I do now? Any advice??? Thanks all!!!

K

Sorry to hear about your ongoing issues. None of us here are medical doctors and cannot offer advice regarding drug interaction. Your multi-drug regimen is highly unusual on this board. We share our experiences regarding TSM and your question goes well beyond that realm. I'm sorry I can't be more help.

kkdc,

It sounds like you are having a time of it, but please hang in there and carry on. I don't see a problem with your multi-pronged approach. Each drug targets a different neural transmitter; alcohol affects many areas of the brain, and perhaps your unusual approach will succeed. If I could offer encouragement, it would be that 8 weeks is not enough time - be patient! Keep reading the Weekly Progress reports and note folks who struggle for six months or so and then BOOM - the craving subsides within a relatively short time. This is what keeps me focused and positive.

Baclofen is a more complicated drug. I urge you to read everything you can. Order Oliver Ameisen's book, plus whatever you can find online. His approach involved very high dosages, but others find success with lower dosages. Naltroxone plus baclofen is often successful. Just keep in mind that extinction is a cure, whereas baclofen is probably not.

Hang in there. Start a Weekly Progress thread so the rest of us can keep up with how you are doing.

Good Luck!
-wort

Nice welcoming post. Don't have much to say other than thanks.

I am going to read through these posts to try and determine the difference in experiences between daily drinkers and bingers, but if anyone cares to summarize, be my guest. Thanks, Keke

Hi keke --

Below is what I wrote in a previous post in my thread. If I have time this week I'll try to do some more research on the board and point to usefuly posts/threads

QUOTE:

It would be really interesting to see how TSM works differently for binge and daily drinkers. Based on the anecdotes on the board, it's my impression that people who are super-responders tend to be bingers. Any one else have a hunch? There's a lot of speculation in the threads that "dailies" make it to extinction faster because of the regularity of NAl +AL. But then maybe we are more hard-wired because we've been drinking steadily for longer? Just speculative musings.

This is where more scientific studies of TSM would be valuable.

I think this subject is very valuebal for those of us who are new to TSM. My initial reason to try TSM was that I had intense dailay cravings for alcohol... every day! I knew it was bad, I could feel the burn in my gut and I broke down and told myself "one drink can't be too bad". Well one led to two, three four, etc. on a daily basis. I have been on TSM since Sept 2011 and my daily craings have pretty much dissapeared. I can go a whole week without drinking and not feel the need to. However, I enjoy the feeling I get from drinking, the mild buzz, the loss of inhibition in social situations (more chatty, funny, not to introverted) so I continue to drink from Friday after work to maybe Sunday afternoon Not continously!). The problem I note which is concerning me, is that once I ave that first drink I want the second, third, fourth... for no particular reason. The buzz only gets worse but I feel like it is an uncontrolable craving again.
Has someone else experienced this? Will this disappear as I stay on the program longer? I really want to control my drinking at this stage (no desire to abstain) so not drinking s not a desired option at this time for me.
I'd love to hear from those who have som insight on this and hopefully some encouraging words. Having said this i find Nal to be a mirascle drug because I was headed into the black hole of alcoholism and this has turned my life around. I hope I can have one or two drinks and stop in the very near future.