Is anyone aware of ANY studies that speak to whether Naltrexone oral (or a Vivitrol Injection) taken without drinking will reduce alcohol cravings? I am not aware of any, although it is still prescribed that way by many.

My review of that same subject with Acamprosal reveals very little positive evidence of successful craving reduction and/or improvement in problem drinking.

I started NAL this week and immediately felt a reduction in cravings. On afternoon's where I wasn't sure if I was going to drink or not, I took a pill anyway and noticed that my craving went away.

Guapo, my research left me with the same conclusion. The original double blind tests showed no difference between NAL subjects and placebo subjects when used in abstinence and at 50mg. In fact logic would seem to suggest that blocking endorphins for 24hrs in an already endorphin deficient person might increase cravings. The process of EXTINCTION (NAL + ALC) just teaches the body that ALC won't satisfy the cravings but doesn't necessarily reduce endorphin craving. However when that same person is OFF NAL after having been temporarily blocked and endorphin production is upgraded, he may feel less craving. Less may be more in this case, as long as one is TEMPORARILY NAL covered while imbibing. Maybe.

Steve

When I decide on AF day, I feel no craving. I only occasionally slightly feel it when I am drinking. But I do not have a real urge to go on. Steve, do you take low dose Nal every day or only when drinking? Where can one but low dose Nal?

Tamtam - if you Google Low Dose Naltrexone it takes you to a web page that tells all about it - and Steve found out that a 50mg tablet dissolves in water after about an hour - so I put the tab in 100 ml bottle of water with a dropper - and then measure out about a tsp !! And take it at night .... I am also doing that as it is good for all sorts of things, and having had cancer, it also helps protect against that! But if I drink, then I do take the 50mg Nal an hour before drinking ......

Hugs, Maggie x

I do take LDN every evening. It is not commonly available in low dose form so a liquid solution is the most common way to take. Please google and research as this is out of the TSM realm. Personally I have found the 4mg low dose to give me adequate ALC control but I think Maggie's approach is much safer until the control level is reached. Alternatively, if 12.5mg gives control, I personally would stay there so the NAL blockage gets a chance to wear off and boost endorphin production. The 50mg dose is considered 24hr blockage. Again, read a lot. You're of course welcome to PM if you get into the idea.

Steve