blacked_out

This is my first post and I will be starting Antabuse today - Sunday night I blacked out (watching football at the bar all day). I woke up Monday Morning (in my house, luckily) to find my lip busted and my chin and elbows bloodied. I walk downstairs and I see the first floor of my house is flooded. I have no idea how any of it happened. A couple of people I know said they saw my girlfriend dragging me home on the sidewalk and then I fell. She does not remember anything either. I usually swear to myself that I will never drink again after nights like this but eventually give in 4-5 days later when I hit the gym and get a lot of stuff done at work. I feel better and then do the same stupid thing to myself. I am confident that Antabuse is the solution but I wish there was a way to make sure that drinking alcohol would be the only cause of side effects. I love vinegar on salads, etc. and also many sauces that may contain alcohol. So... I have a couple questions.

I know that Antabuse stays in your system for 2 weeks and the effects are directly proportional to the amount of Disulfram / alcohol in your blood. If I was to take a pill once a week would I be safe and avoid side effects from things like food and shampoo?

Also, is balsamic vinegar something I will not be able to eat?

Thanks for your advice!

Stobert

You need to direct your questions to the doctor who is prescribing the Antabuse.

CarolD

Welcome to SR!..

I see you found a past post on Amtabuse..
reading that is a good start!

As to your questions...I don't know.

I started with 500 mg
3 months later after another liver function test
it was reduced to 250 then
3 more months + test
down to 125

I drank again on 125..1 split of champagne.
It had been 12 hours since my daily dose
I became violently instantly ill...
so ill that I decided to stop taking Antabuse.
Duh!

When I was using it...I continued to wear perfume
and use hairspray with no problem.
I did stop eating food items with alcohol
and found a mouthwash non alcohol based.

My doctor said the body retains Antabuse for
3/5 days. That was in ' 85 so perhaps the
t that is now changed.

You need to ask your doctor what is the best
way for you.

I did not find sobriety until '89...so the Antabuse
was not my solution.

I jope you find answers to your drinking..
sobriety is way

mike2305

Hi it sounds as if you drink alot---how much are you drinking per week?

blacked_out

2-3 days per week - but when I start drinking I cannot stop.

At least 25-30 drinks per session when I get started.

miss communicat

Hi Blacked out,

Good to see you addressing your alcohol problem. I have no personal experience with Antabuse, but it seems to have worked for many. Definitely read up on it and also ask your doctor.

There will be more coming by later who may be able to tell you about balsamic vinegar, but for now, I'd stay away from it.

msmith81

I was wondering if you could tell me what doctor prescribed the antabuse for you. The doctor I knew when I was using is no longer practicing. Thank you

yeahgr8

I was given antabuse 4 and a half months ago and have been sober for that time. Like Carol i was prescribed 500mg a day at first which is 2 pills. Then i took myself down to 1 pill a day at xmas and then took myself off it all together about 10 days ago.

I had no side effects, used normal mouthwash, shampoo, toothpaste and eat what i wanted.

It is a great way to get a head start and give you time to reeveluate your life and get a support program in place when you come off of it. As carol implies it is not the solution but gives you time to find one for you.

FFS only listen to people that have actually taken it for a time, with regard to advice.

Good luck and keep coming back and posting:-)

Pelican

Mssmith, welcome to SR

This is an old thread from 2006.

Please find a new doctor and be open and honest about your struggles with alcohol.

charisma

:ghug3 Welcome

charisma

yeahgr8

Oh yeah what a dope i am!!!!!!

CarolD

Mssmith.....
Always glad to see a new member
Welcome to SR and our Alcoholism Forum

Trippstar

One thing I know about antabuse is that people have relpased while they are on it and then they died Or it makes you really ill because people at one of the rehab places I have been was really ill and he had to be taken to hospital.