Hi Everyone. I have a couple questions before I try and get a script from my Doctor. I am a binge drinker. I feel like I suffer from cravings on a daily basis but do not let myself drink but once or so a week. I am currently a Reduction program. The problem that I have is after my first beer or glass of wine etc, I get a RUSH! My heart starts to pound and I am off and running. My question is....Does taking Nal stop that from happening?. It is that sensation that sends me on a binge. It is actually uncomfortable so I want to keep drinking to make it subside. Alcohol has had that affect on me my whole 50 years of life! I also feel a discomfort that resembles that rush on a daily basis. I white knuckle it most of the time. I don't sleep well and my mind is always racing. My second question is....Can taking Nal help with the daily uncomfortable feelings? I am pretty much exhausted! I've been fighting this demon or whatever you want to call it for a long time. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,

Tara

Tbear - I really am not sure exactly what you mean about that feeling - maybe you should talk to a doctor ? I mean I get a buzz when I have that first drink but it is not uncomfortable - and if it is for you, why do you take that first drink ? Maybe I am confused.... hopefully someone else can come along and shed some light on it for you - the Nal stops the buzz basically ....

Maggie

Thanks Maggie. Yes it is a buzz it just seems to come on much faster and harder than most people.

I'll say this Tara: You are one tough SOB. All the rest of us had long before 50 years given up, stopped fighting, and progressed to alcoholism. Maybe you did too, but with a fighting drive such as you have, you're the exception.

You'll want to read the book and understand all that is behind the method, but the short answer is yes. Nal will stop that euphoric feeling you get from the initial drink that leads you madly and mindlessly on to the next, and the next, -and well, you know...

It also takes some will power, but it sounds like you have plenty of that. You're in the right place now, and in a few months you will know peace if you follow the Golden Rule. Others, far kinder than I, will elaborate further.

Thank you Clarion but I've probably caused more chaos in my weekly binges than most in their daily drinking.

Tbear,

It sounds like you are getting an adrenaline rush from alcohol. I would have to do some research to see if that is normal, or if it is related to something else, but anything is possible. The nal. will block all of the receptors in your body, so it may block that "rush" you are experiencing.

Could you explain the daily uncomfortable feelings?

Nal is used for a lot of different thing, but that is Low Dose Naltrexone. I actually feel better on the nal. than off, and I only drink a glass or two of wine (never more than 3). Some people have issues sleeping on the nal. and experiences different side effects that can be looked up on WebMD. You need to understand that nal will block the opiate receptors in your body, so you could not take certain pain medicine.

If you haven't please read the book.

I would think twice before talking to your doctor about using The Sinclair Method. Most doctor will not be open to the idea; however, you could ask to be put on nal. to reduce the cravings for that is what it is used for in AUD therapy and treatment clinics. You may experience some resistant, because a lot of doctors do not understand what TSM or the nal is about. I would call ahead to make your doctor feel comfortable writing a script for the nal. Even though every doctor is able and should be will, they are not. Some of the members here order from outside pharmacy and no script is need, but it is not cheap.

I think if you combine Reduction program (I am assuming you are trying to drink less) along with TSM, you will stop those binges in no time, but it will take time. The book claims a minimum of 3 months, but most people it take 6-8 months and a few it has taken a 1-2 years. The trick is to never give up, take that pill and wait 60 minutes (the full 60, not 45, or 55), and drink. That rush will be gone and you will get bored with drinking. It will not be the same; however, you can still get drunk and you can drink through the nal.

I wish you luck and I hope you start a progress page,

Jaba

A link to the book https://www.dropbox.com/s/60fs7gmvbyzs1 ... m.pdf?dl=0

I think you are a big fluffy marshmallow and that kindness is just as sweet!

Thanks Jaba for your lengthy reply. Yes, it does feel like an adrenaline rush. When I'm on my like 6th beer I get some weird seizure thing. My lips, arms and hands tense up. I'm used to it but it scares the **** out of everyone else. They only last for a minute and I go right back to drinking afterwards! I can sometimes have a couple of them in the course of a drunk. The uncomfortable feeling during the day is similar to the adrenaline rush I get from my first beer. I feel that it stems from the alcohol abuse/addiction. I'm just tired of always fighting. Was hoping the Nal may work for me and help me with a general feeling of well being.

Tbear,

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

Your weird seizure thing would (and does) scare me. I have never heard of someone that response to alcohol that way.

I think it would be wise to have someone with you when you take your first couple of pills, for you may respond a lot differently than any of us.

I think it would be wise to have some blood work done before starting the naltrexone, for if you have been a hard drinker for 50 years and with taking the naltrexone, your liver enzymes may need to be monitored.

I will try to do some research, for now your response to alcohol has me intrigued.

I think the nal will work for you AUD, but having control of alcohol is what is really going to help you feel better.

Jaba

I did a quick search and thought this was interesting...for you may just be having a "rum fit", or you may have an underlying seizure disorder, or it could be nothing at all.

This is from brain diseases world press:

I have tried to give an overview of the kinds of seizures associated with alcohol intake. Like I stated earlier one need not be an epileptic to have seizures associated with alcohol intake. I try to explain this to my patients as follows. The brain has a threshold for the amount of alcohol it can tolerate. This threshold varies from person to person. If you drink above that threshold, the brain does not like it and one way it reacts is by having a seizure. This “threshold” is lower in patients who have an underlying seizure tendency. In these epileptic patients, a small amount of alcohol may induce a seizure. Also if you mix your drinks or combine alcohol consumption with other recreational drugs like cocaine you are creating the ideal grounds to have a seizure. Certain medicines like antibiotics also lower your seizure threshold and hence should not be used along with alcohol.

https://braindiseases.wordpress.com/200 ... ol-intake/