Hello!

This is my first post on any kind online forum. I just filled my prescription for Nal and actually had my first go with it last night. First a little backstory. I am a 24 y/o female. I have been in/ around the rooms of AA and identified as an alcoholic since I was 15. So for the last nine years. I had achieved 1.5 years sober at the most during that entire time period. I have had legal consequences in the form of 2 DUI's but have remained very high functioning and successful in most other regards. I can't say that I hate AA, to the contrary I've met some of my best friends through AA and had many positive experiences directly and indirectly a result of that program. I have throughout the years become resentful of some of their teachings and brainwashed (for lack of a better word) that its the AA way or I'm doomed to jails, institutions or death. I am in the eyes of AA a chronic relapser. As I kept hitting the same wall, drinking on my terms just does not work for me, I got to thinking this can not be the ONLY way. I was so excited to find out about this method and give it a shot. My drinking has been very erratic through the years. Usually after a relapse (AA has beat into my head, in MY experience) things will instantly become chaotic and life will become unimaginable. It was like a self fulfilling prophecy!! I believed that and that's what ended up happening! So I would usually binge for a few weeks/ months then sober up for a few months and repeat. Exhausting... just exhausting...

So my first day taking Naltrexone last night 1/7/2016
5:17 pm Took the pill, went to the store to buy wine, felt giddy, nervous and excited all at the same time. I wanted to drink before the hour was up but distracted myself.
6:30 pm bottle of wine opened but I'm not really interested. It was so weird I felt like somehow the craving was already gone. (I know that's not how Nal works)
6:40 I pour my first glass for "science" despite still no craving. I played 6 games of cards with my SO and hadn't even finished the first glass of wine!
7:25 Poured second glass. Drank about half and got extremely nauseous. Actually threw up I think all of the wine. Really was not feeling well. Still feeling a little fuzzy today. Plus is that I got to use a wine stopper for the first time. What a concept! I have never not finished a bottle so that was really cool! Has anyone had the same side effects? Nausea, cloudy head, slightly disoriented?

**I did not eat prior to taking the pill. I am not taking any other medications either**

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! I look forward to giving it another go later this evening or tomorrow

Hey Curiouskat -

Welcome to the forum!! You have totally come to the right place, with experienced TSM'ers!

I'd suggest (from my own recent experience) that you start with 25mg instead of 50 and have a small meal with a full glass of water. Then, per the Golden Rule: Wait an hour before you drink.

Nal can take some getting used to, but for those that do have side effects, most find they seem to pass in about a week.

Are you working with a TSM doctor?

That's quite a ride you had before finding TSM! How did you find out about it?

Hey Joesixpack!

Thank you for your response! I just took a 25mg with wage and a light meal so hopefully I'll have a better result tonight. I actually came across it by accident. I was living abroad in Doha, Qatar last year (from California, USA) feeling frustrated at the lack of recovery options. The gulf countries are very different in culture especially regarding alcohol. Not only was it hard to come by but recovery options were practically none. Not like the wet and wild American drinking culture lol. Anyway I googled something and came across the "one little pill" trailer. I'm feeling really optimistic about it and really hope I get the same great results I have been reading about

Good deal! Stick with the Golden Rule and every indication is that you'll do fine. You can work up to 50mg after you feel ok on 25mg, but take it easy and make sure you feel ok with it first.

Just make sure Nal (with some food) + 1 hour, then a drink and you are doing your job. No washing the pill down with a drink though, you have to wait the hour. Gotta, gotta, gotta. You don't even need any more than one drink, but if you feel the need, go for it. Just try sipping rather than gulping, especially the first drink. If you smoke too, don't take your drink out with you, leave it on the table or put it back in the refrigerator. Who knows... you might just forget it!

You have definitely come to the right place for "relapsers". We gotcha covered and no "blame-shame" game, just come-as-you-are.

So, what's your drinking style? We've got daily drinkers, not-so-daily, bingers, maintenance drinkers, you name it.

You can also check out Cthree's "Find a Physician" link, a TSM doc can be a powerful ally.

We have Joanna and Moyra avalable from the Optionssavelives site too, they offer free informal counseling to any TSM'er that asks.

I mean I would drink everyday on a binge until I couldn't anymore for emotional reasons. Then get sober for a few weeks or months then binge again. I wish this website had an app! My doctor who prescribed the Nal has never had any expierence with it and I'm a total Ginea pig for her. Really hoping when I go back next month I have good things to tell her so it could potentially help others. I just want to feel in control of my life and not every waking moment be consumed by thoughts of drinking or not drinking, meeting or other extremes. I just hope I can find balance and not have everything seem so black and white ya know! Really appreciate the replies of a real live human having the same experience! Cheers!

You've come to the right place!

But for TSM to work, you have to drink. I hate to have to put it to you that way, but "tough love" you know? Don't ever let me hear that you've been spending your money on wheat grass juice, young lady!

Did you just see the trailer or the whole One Little Pill video? Just so we can help you back and fill...

Check out the GoodRx app for getting your Nal too (as well as other Rx's), could save you a chunk of change. Cash price in my area for 30 pills is like $150. With GoodRx it's $38.

Glad you at least have a doc helping you! Looks like there's one guy that's a TSM doc down in Sherman Oaks, a couple others that haven't been verified:

http://www.cthreefoundation.org/find-a-physician.html

Hey Curiouskat

Glad that you are here. NAL is not a magical pill. It does take a little bit of discipline - nothing compared to going cold turkey of course. That discipline, as Joe has already mentioned, is to take the pill an hour before you drink. Always. Pretty easy but very important.

When you get a chance it is very helpful to read through some of the journeys of other members. It will give you an idea of what to expect. A few people do have an instant response and are able to get control in just a matter of days or weeks. But most have a roller coaster journey of several months before they really gain control over their intake of AL. So your first month's report to your doctor may or may not be eye raising. But over time it will work for you!

Try to start tracking your drinks so that you can see your progress going forward. Does not have to be exact but try to be consistent. Always keep pills in places you may need them. Car, computer bag, key chain, purse etc. The little pill containers they sell at drug stores with a rubber gasket on them work great. I have sent my pills through the wash several times and nothing happened to them!