This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I am having a hard time getting my son to take the Nal before he drinks on his own. In the beginning it seemed to be okay. He would tell me he wanted to drink... I would go to his house, watch him take the Nal then go get the drink he wanted. We agreed that if he drinks I get his keys. It was okay for a few weeks but now he is fighting it. He drinks a pint of vodka a day and this has not slowed down. (TSM for 6 wks now). He has been drinking for about 10 years now. He stopped taking his antidepressant. I go over and make sure he eats. I think I am too much in his business. I want this to work but how is he ever going to be able to function in the real world unless he does this himself. I know someone said on my first post that it sounds like I want this more than he does... you are probably right. What should I do? Just stop? I HATE THIS DISEASE!!! I am so frustrated.

This is entirely a personal decision, up to you. My two cents is this: my father was a manic depressive who refused to take his meds. I spent years telling him he has to take the meds and he refused my every request. His refusal led to a divorce after 40 years of happy marriage, four hospitalizations, two civil commitment proceedings and a nearly successful suicide attempt. And the entire time, I was on him to take the meds and he STILL refused. In April '08 he had a stroke and became wheelchair bound. He depended upon me for everything. And the first thing I did was tell him, "time to take your meds." He still refused. I put it in his food anyway and it worked. Now some people may be outraged by my decision, but trust me, my manic father was incapable of knowing what was best for him so I acted on his behalf and it was the best thing for him. Your son needs this pill. If he were my son I think you know what I'd do. But again, this is your personal decision that only you can make for yourself. But when someone you love is incapable of acting in their own best interests, the decision to act on their behalf is a decision that loved ones have to make.

Hi Louise,

So sorry about this struggle you're dealing with. See if it is possible that your son could get an injection of Naltrexone (brand name is Vivitrol). I believe it lasts for a month? I'm sorry, but I'm not the best one here to give you all the facts. I also don't know what it would take for you to get it - (i.e. cost, willing doctor, etc.). If you're able to find a source, I'm sure it will be prescribed along with abstinence, so your son would have to "agree" to whatever the doctor says. If you say that you will ensure he remains abstinent (yes - LIE), hopefully they won't force put him into detox before he can get it. Again, I don't have any experience with this, and am hoping someone more knowledgeable will jump in here... All I can offer you is my hope and prayers at this point - please keep us posted.