G4M This is exactly right for me. Reducing my anxiety is helping to free me from the shackles of drinking. As you mention - I also believe that many people who drink heavily have anxiety issues - the drinking is ultimately a symptom. Hence I kind of lumped my anxiety into the condition commonly known as alcoholism.

This is a major learning process for me. However I could relate well to Dr Ameisen so had a feeling the tablets may be useful to me also.

I understand it is a treatment for life but if it works and I am responsible about it then I don't think it's any different to using medication to control any condition.

ashl, baclofen is a backup for me, should TSM not be effective (tho I see it's working, now). I would think you could employ TSM for extinction of addiction, and baclofen as a treatment for anxiety. That way you wouldn't need the massive doses of bac required to treat alcoholism. . .?

G4M - yes! I hope people haven't found my comments confusing or fogging the issue. Nal treatment alone is the gold standard. For me:

1. I've come to realise anxiety is my biggest trigger.
2. Reducing the anxiety stops me craving alcohol.
3. Starting Baclofen is not something I have done lightly and is medication that should be started/used with great care.
4. As G4M has stated I am using Naltrexone to treat my alcohol addiction and Baclofen to treat my anxiety successfully.

Hi Ashl - very happy to see the dramatic decrease. Interesting how TSM works differently for everyone and some of us may need to get extra help with the anxiety issues before the TSM can properly kick in.

I still remember your beginning posts, and you have been an unbelievable example of dedication to this method (very high levels at the start, some success, then stalling a bit...many would have just taken up drinking again w/o Nal). Really, really great to read this thread

G4M,

I have suffered from anxiety disorders (OCD and GAD) for years but I had never heard of Baclofen until I saw mention of it a few months ago on the MWO forum. I have tried numerous medications for my anxiety but none of the psychiatrists that I have seen have ever mentioned Baclofen. All this leads me to think that your comment above may apply to the USA but not to the UK. Perhaps others will prove me wrong.

V.

Hi Ashl - if you are still checking in with us can you update us? There has been a lot of interest lately on this board and MWO about baclofen. I would really be interested to here how your journey is going using Nal + Baclofen.

Hope you are well,

As would I.

One question I have is that TSM requires you to drink AL for extinction to occur.
Is not the mixture of a muscle relaxant (baclofen) and a CNS depressant (alcohol) a dangerous, possibly lethal combination?

Hi I'm still doing well and my drinking is much reduced from the 100+ units I was on pre baclofen and Nal. I now work full time - something I haven't done for three years - been very busy so don't have a chance to check in often.

I'm not an advocate of baclofen I just wanted people to know it's helping me.

As for is it dangerous to mix alcohol and baclofen? Possibly with large amounts of alcohol. Apparently it can cause an enhanced sedative effect but I have not noticed any since I now tend to stick to moderate amounts.

What book is baclofen addressed in....? Is it in the Cure for Alcoholism? I wanta research this so I can approach my shrink with this. This might help me come off the xanax and maybe the ambien CR that I have been on for 2 years!!! I hate being on all these dang controlled substances....

Hello!

What an exciting thread!!!! I have been reading about Baclofen, and I must say the result are AMAZING! (In combination with Nal of course!)

I am wondering if the Baclofen is something permanent as the Nal is. I have difficultiesdeciding if this is for me. I don't drink during the day, normally....unless on vacation, or maybe a beer at about 2pm if I am not working. I think I drink more out of boredom and habit. I do find however, there are times when something happens, I think, 'I can't wait to get a drink in me!'.

I suppose in that sense, it would help, but I imagine I need to be less lazy!!!!

I am sure trying certainly won't help. I would definately like to do whatever I can to help this!

Congraulations on your amazing success! You should be so VERY proud of yourself! I know in the past being proud of ourselves was something difficult, but let out a loud cheer!!!! Good for YOU!

All the best, and thanks for the progress reports.

Christy