Hi Everyone,

I have been reading a lot about TSM on this board and elsewhere for the last month or so. I am waiting for my copy of The Cure for Alcoholism to arrive and have tried unsuccessfully to get a prescription for naltrexone. I went to my primary care physician and begged for one, but she refused saying that it was a controlled substance and she was not authorized to prescribe it. I was devastated to say the least. I then called an alcoholism psychiatrist whom I had seen several years ago (and who had prescribed naltrexone for me using the "usual" protocol), but she has not returned my call (after 2 days). Not feeling very optimistic about her ever getting back to me, I placed an order for 60 50mg pills on-line, but they could take up to a month to come.

I'm feeling very overwhelmed right now. I've tried "everything" over the 36 years I've drunk abusively and nothing has worked or "stuck". I'm drinking about 60 US units a week, drink everyday, and am sort of feeling this is my last hope. I take heart in seeing on this site a lot of other people who are also heavy drinkers, like me, and who seem optimistic about the progress they've made with TSM. Like many of you, too, I tried the MWO program, but to no avail. And like some of you, I, too, am female and hoping that this approach can work for someone who is a heavy, long-term drinking and now older (58 year old) woman.

Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated, until I get my supply of naltrexone and can start TSM.

Sante

Welcome Sante!

Many here have had a difficult time getting a Naltrexone prescription via the 'proper' channels. Unfortunately, the medical/rehab professionals haven't yet heard of TSM, and are alarmed that it requires continued drinking during treatment. Therefore, many (myself included) have chosen to keep TSM to ourselves and imply that we're using the Nal along with abstinence. It is approved for reducing cravings for alcohol, so I don't know what what your PCP was talking about - it's not a controlled substance! Sounds like she needs some refresher courses - it's not too tough to look things up...

Anyhow, the important thing is to get the Nal, by whatever means necessary. Your previous psych would probably prescribe it again if you imply that it will be used along with abstinence - I wouldn't suggest mentioning TSM at all for now, or you can just continue to order on-line if you can handle the cost. I am also a long term heavy drinker, being 45 now and starting at 15! So far, it seems that we heavy drinkers have seen some progress with TSM, but it has been intermittent and painfully slow - very frustrating at times. But as you can imagine, anything is better than what we were living before. Even if our consumption hasn't declined so much, the craving has dwindled at times, and most are better at controlling behavior while drinkning. No more embarrassing moments or blackouts!

I'm convinced TSM is the best option we've got, and I'm sure it will work. We're all here to support you, and believe me - we can relate to the nightmare you've been through. Nobody here will judge you when you share the ugly details of your past. Once again, welcome - we're glad you joined us!

Hi Sante, welcome to the board - you've come to the right place. I'm also a 58 y.o. female, long-term heavy drinker (tho I managed an alcohol free stint during my child rearing years - a miracle from God!). I've been at this four months, and it has not been a linear journey. Started out with great decreases (honeymoon period), plateaud for several weeks at about 50 upw, and this week had a spike back up to 64 units. Still, that's two bottles of wine less per week than pre-Sinclair.

Apart from the numbers, my experience with drinking is much different, and better. No more blackouts, erratic behavior, or terrible morning brain fogs/hangovers. (At least, very rare ones.) I'm in a more conscious aware state, and can enjoy - and recall - intelligent conversations. I know for sure that my friends no longer view me as one of the gang's 'heavy hitters,' and that alone is real progress! I'm now just a 'normal' alkie, and not a 'down and outer.'

Since I've had gastric bypass, which limits absorption of food and drugs, I've decided to up my dose to 75mg. and see what happens. It's been suggested this works better for some (not all) women. You should plan to start out at 25 mg., as some folks experience nausea for a short time upon starting. I never did, but I did feel rather spaced out for a couple of weeks.

Bummer about your doctor - I honestly believe you could sue for malpractice if she is refusing to provide you with a proven medical treatment for your illness. Minneapolisnick is an attorney, and he's pointed this out to others. If you have the chutzpah, and want your insurance to cover the cost of your script, you could march back into her office, show her the data, tell her you want it for abstinence (lie), and insist that she prescribe "or else." Doctors treat alcoholics as morally defective, rather than as people with a now-treatable illness. Don't be afraid to tell her that's what her unprofessional behavior indicates. As for naltrexone being a controlled substance - pure hogwash. Your doctor out-and-out lied to you, dudette!

Of course I know very few of us would ever dare do anything like this (except maybe Minneapolisnick!), but it might help to just imagine it. In the meantime, be assured that your script won't take a month to arrive. I believe mine from River pharmacy was 15 days. . .and one from alldaychemist.com (MUCH cheaper) was just over a week. You'll be joining us b/4 you know it!

KK, are you stalking me? Seems you're everywhere I am, with mostly the same answers.

Seriously, sista - I'm stunned when I look at your signature. We are on identical courses, it seems. We started out at about the same drinking levels. My downward decline has been similar to yours, and my drinking during week 18 spiked just the same. Are you positive you're not me, masquerading as a kinder, gentler person?

Really tho, we might be a future TSM pattern for women with drinking levels/habits such as ours. The likenesses seem too uncanny to be totally coincidental.

I just ordered more Nal online to add to my prescribed meds, as I plan to up my dosage to 75 mg. (up to 100 mg. if needed). I'm betting it is going to really kick in at that dosage. . .

Thank KK and G4M,

I, too, was frustrated when my primary care physician wouldn't consider a prescription. She flat out said I needed to go to an addiction specialist or, better, a long-term inpatient rehab. I'm not confident my previous psychiatrist will return my call. I think she figures I'm a lost cause, since I've called in the past seeking more help and she has not returned my call.

I noticed elsewhere on this site that there is a doctor in NYC who will consider working with patients using TSM. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with doctors in NJ? It would be so much more economical for me to work with a NJ doctor and get help with the prescriptions through my insurance company. At this point, I'm not concerned with hiding anything from my insurer: I just want help and to remain financially solvent.

In the meanwhile, since I placed my online order with River, I'll hope to get the tablets in 2 weeks rather than 4. I'm not familiar with AllDayChemist, but will do some research on them -- cheaper and faster will be much better in the future, if I fail to find a doctor who will help me.

Thanks for your kind comments. As I say, I'm feeling overwhelmed today and your words are helpful,

Sante

Hi G4M,

I was going to post this on your progress thread, but it will make more sense to reply to you last post here. All I can say is, I'm pretty sure we were twins in a former life...or maybe I was you, or you were me? Not sure, but it's pretty weird, and weird describes me better than 'kinder or gentler" - trust me!

Welcome Sante -
You have found kindred souls here! You are not alone and hopefully this WILL bring you hope and this site, a sense of comraderie. We are all in it for the same reasons.

Good luck to you!

Hi Houtx,

Thanks for the welcome. Yesterday was a really crummy day. I'm going to try to go easy today and stay away from the alcohol as best I can. Drowning myself in drink is only worsening all of the life problems I have to deal with. I'm so grateful for this site and am anxiously awaiting the naltrexone I ordered so I can start this program. God, I hope it helps me.

Sante

Hey Sante, we have a rule here: no beating yourself up! You didn't choose to be one who had that damn monkey jump on your back - you were just walking through the jungle one day like everybody else, and he chose to jump on YOU. You're not a moral or character defect just because you were born with a predisposition to respond a certain way to alcoholic substances. . .you're not 'less than' anyone else, whether they drink or not. You're just a poor soul trying to get a handle on something that has overtaken you against your will - be kind to yourself, as God knows you deserve it.

So you drank too much last night? Big deal - you're an alcoholic, of course you drink too much! Was it something you chose to do? Hell no! So if you didn't choose it, why are you taking responsibility for it? Just realize, "It is what it is," and commit yourself to taking your naltrexone one hour prior to drinking. Know it will probably take at least 4-6 months b/4 you begin to feel 'normal,' and come on here to keep us posted. You're now involved in something bigger than yourself - and your story will one day give hope to someone who is feeling as you do now.

G4M,

Thank you. My husband just read your letter to a spouse. It was very, very helpful. I am so very, very fortunate to have such a wonderful, loving husband who has literally gone through hell with me. We are committed to give TSM a try. Getting a regular supply of naltrexone may be an issue, as I cannot afford to buy it indefinitely online. At some point, I'll have to get it through my insurance. I live in NJ and think you are in NY. Do you have any suggestions?

Sante