In our ongoing look at treating substance abuse in America, we turn to the most commonly used drug, and one of the deadliest: alcohol. Drinking kills more Am...
I’m a big fan of naltrexone, I take it daily. I’ve stopped drinking dozens of times but naltrexone made it stick.
I’ve drank for 35 years, I’d consider that at least 25 of those were alcoholic. I’ve been physically dependent, tapered myself a few times, in-patient detox twice. 12 step doesn’t work for me, SMART recovery isn’t very available and still isn’t really for me.
What stopped it? Naltrexone. It might not work for everyone but it was my salvation just over one year now. I haven’t been completely teetotal but one drink doesn’t turn into 10. I’ve had a social drink about a half dozen times this year and the compulsion to get loaded wasn’t there.
As a SMART facilitator, I’m sorry that it didn’t click with you.
as for the availability, there are 1000’s of meetings weekly, many online. Maybe you didn’t find one that resonates with you. Every meeting has it’s own “flavor”
As for Naltrexone. I did it and it worked, to the point of losing interest in drinking. The thing is that you MUST always take it before drinking. No exceptions. I got complacent, and started drinking without taking it, thinking I was “cured”. Nope.
If you are taking the Naltrexone route, consider that you will have to take it before drinking, ALWAYS.
I just went to see my Dr. today and asked for help. He put me on librium and also ordered naltrexone and cautioned me to not start it until I was a week sober. I am still waiting to be notified by my pharmacy that my scripts are ready. The Librium takes 4 days so I must wait 3 more days before starting the naltrexone. Can you indicate any side effects I might experience? Oh, and I ordered the Smart Recovery workbook and am considering contacting my EAP for counseling/coaching.
Oh, I guess I could elaborate a little.
I’ve drank for 35 years, I’d consider that at least 25 of those were alcoholic. I’ve been physically dependent, tapered myself a few times, in-patient detox twice. 12 step doesn’t work for me, SMART recovery isn’t very available and still isn’t really for me.
What stopped it? Naltrexone. It might not work for everyone but it was my salvation just over one year now. I haven’t been completely teetotal but one drink doesn’t turn into 10. I’ve had a social drink about a half dozen times this year and the compulsion to get loaded wasn’t there.
As a SMART facilitator, I’m sorry that it didn’t click with you. as for the availability, there are 1000’s of meetings weekly, many online. Maybe you didn’t find one that resonates with you. Every meeting has it’s own “flavor”
Here is a guide to find ALL meetings, local and on-line. The finder is confusing.
As for Naltrexone. I did it and it worked, to the point of losing interest in drinking. The thing is that you MUST always take it before drinking. No exceptions. I got complacent, and started drinking without taking it, thinking I was “cured”. Nope.
If you are taking the Naltrexone route, consider that you will have to take it before drinking, ALWAYS.
I just went to see my Dr. today and asked for help. He put me on librium and also ordered naltrexone and cautioned me to not start it until I was a week sober. I am still waiting to be notified by my pharmacy that my scripts are ready. The Librium takes 4 days so I must wait 3 more days before starting the naltrexone. Can you indicate any side effects I might experience? Oh, and I ordered the Smart Recovery workbook and am considering contacting my EAP for counseling/coaching.