Anyone use Antabuse? I think I might need it..
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 143
Originally Posted by ImReadyToQuit 
I'm tired of drinking.. I can quit for a couple weeks.. but then start right back up.. 
I balked for a long time at using AA but I am so very thankful I did.
Also, talk to your doctor about Campral. This is medicine that, when used with a support group, can help you maintain your sobriety in the first few months.
You can also talk to them about antabuse, but Campral acts differently, it helps suppress cravings. And, they claim that if you are on it for some amount of time it can reduce the amount that you drink if you do have a slip one day.
I tried counseling, campral, and lots of other things. I wasn't able to quit until I joined AA. I have been off of alcohol for seven months now! It is great.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Well....
too used Antabuse in early sobriety.
I did drink whith it.... became so violently ill
I quit the Antabuse.....
The catalyst for my reaction was a single split of
champagne ..18 hours after the lowest dosage.
Be sure and check out the afterlife of Antabuse
I kinda remember it stays in your system 4 or 5 days
after the last pill. Also...you do need to have your
doctor monitor liver enzymes if you take the med.
You must be also very aware of foods and
products containing any type of alcohol.
Depending on a persons senstivity....an unknown factor
you can also get quite ill that way too.
I also had to see my doctor monthly for blood test
to make sure my liver was not failing.
Antabuse does nothing for cravings.
hope you can quit drinking...recovery rocks!
too used Antabuse in early sobriety.
I did drink whith it.... became so violently ill
I quit the Antabuse.....
The catalyst for my reaction was a single split of
champagne ..18 hours after the lowest dosage.
Be sure and check out the afterlife of Antabuse
I kinda remember it stays in your system 4 or 5 days
after the last pill. Also...you do need to have your
doctor monitor liver enzymes if you take the med.
You must be also very aware of foods and
products containing any type of alcohol.
Depending on a persons senstivity....an unknown factor
you can also get quite ill that way too.
I also had to see my doctor monthly for blood test
to make sure my liver was not failing.
Antabuse does nothing for cravings.
hope you can quit drinking...recovery rocks!
Last edited by CarolD; 11-11-2009 at 09:30 AM.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 143
Originally Posted by ClosetExtrovert
It would be great if there was a magic pill. 
Everyone here says it's abstaining and AA, and I tend to agree with them.
Good luck xxoxo
Everyone here says it's abstaining and AA, and I tend to agree with them.Good luck xxoxo
Abstinence is the best bet. If I tried to drink one night per week I would drink seven nights per week.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 143
Then again, if we weren't alcoholic, we probably wouldn't miss alcohol so much! In other words, we wouldn't wish we could take a magic pill that made us like everyone else.
Normal people can go without alcohol for seven months and never think about it or wish they could drink. I, on the other hand think of it daily. But, that is because I am a drunk!
Normal people can go without alcohol for seven months and never think about it or wish they could drink. I, on the other hand think of it daily. But, that is because I am a drunk!
Heathen
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: La La Land, USA
Posts: 2,567
No experience here.. if I wanted long term success I had to learn how to use my own internal 'tools' to guide me and not rely on yet another chemical. I also didn't achieve that through AA, so no.. not 'everyone' here is using AA. I do know however that there's a few people around here who used antabuse as a supplement to the program or treatment they were involved with, they'll probably be around soon to give you some of their experience
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: KC MO
Posts: 980
Yes I took antabuse. If you drink on it, you will only try it once. I did and thought I was going to die. It's hard on your liver. I had to take it to stay out of jail. I don't recommend it. Maybe if you are young Iduno.
I also had problems at about 2 weeks. I don't know how many times I made it to about that mark and had (break the glass) cravings. It always snuck up out of nowhere. The last time I was prepared and did as little as possible around that time. I avoided stress and hard work as much as possible. For me after that 2 week craving things always got a lot easier.
Also as others have said, outside help will also make things easier. But I'll say it again. I would stay away from antabuse
Fred
I also had problems at about 2 weeks. I don't know how many times I made it to about that mark and had (break the glass) cravings. It always snuck up out of nowhere. The last time I was prepared and did as little as possible around that time. I avoided stress and hard work as much as possible. For me after that 2 week craving things always got a lot easier.
Also as others have said, outside help will also make things easier. But I'll say it again. I would stay away from antabuse
Fred
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
Yep i took it, stopped me drinking whilst i was on it as i was afraid of the side effects...i didn't work a program of recovery whilst not drinking for those five months...there are people in the rooms it has helped and people it hasn't...as much as there are people that like syeak and people that don't...totally your decision but remember if you dont work a program of recovery you are just going to be postponing the inevitable, might help short term though:-) Good luck!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 612
Originally Posted by Nevertheless
I also had problems at about 2 weeks. I don't know how many times I made it to about that mark and had (break the glass) cravings. It always snuck up out of nowhere. The last time I was prepared and did as little as possible around that time. I avoided stress and hard work as much as possible. For me after that 2 week craving things always got a lot easier.
Fred
Fred
RE: Antabuse. Heard some stories, good & bad, but no personal experience.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 363
I've been on it since Dec 08, 250 mg per day.
Every morning, I take the capsule without fail. I`ve never tried drinking on it, and I`ve never had a reaction from aftershave, sauce, or vinegar.
Perhaps it`s just me but I do find it helps me to guarantee abstinence for an extended period of time and allows me to change my behaviour and get used to a sober lifestyle. My plan is to remain on it, under doctor supervision, for a minimum of 2 years.
I`ve also heard many bad stories about this med, and I think that for many people it would not be appropriate. You doctor would be able to give you the best advice.
Keep well
Ron
Every morning, I take the capsule without fail. I`ve never tried drinking on it, and I`ve never had a reaction from aftershave, sauce, or vinegar.
Perhaps it`s just me but I do find it helps me to guarantee abstinence for an extended period of time and allows me to change my behaviour and get used to a sober lifestyle. My plan is to remain on it, under doctor supervision, for a minimum of 2 years.
I`ve also heard many bad stories about this med, and I think that for many people it would not be appropriate. You doctor would be able to give you the best advice.
Keep well
Ron
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Anchorage Alaska
Posts: 7
Naltrexone
Have you considered Naltrexone? It can reduce your cravings and maybe get you through your two week hurdle. It should be used with other support like counsler, AA or whatever works for you. PM me if you would like to hear about my personel experiance with it.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 5
I was on antabuse early on in sobriety and it REALLY helped me get through those first few months, because once I'd taken it I knew that drinking was simply not an option for me that day. I celebrated 6 months yesterday and haven't taken antabuse for months, but I am glad it was there for me when I needed it.
I see it as one more tool that can help with sobriety, and I believe that people should utilize whatever tools may help them stay sober. What works for some will not work for others, but in the end, you find the path that works for you and if it keeps you away from that first drink, that's all that matters.
I see it as one more tool that can help with sobriety, and I believe that people should utilize whatever tools may help them stay sober. What works for some will not work for others, but in the end, you find the path that works for you and if it keeps you away from that first drink, that's all that matters.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 26
I'm on it now. The only times I drank while on it was when my planning began days before the drink (whether conscious or not). It kept me honest since even 72 hours after my last pill, I flushed red all over my face, shoulders, and chest. There's no denying that I drank.
Took a pill last night before bed, and it makes me reasonably sure I won't drink today.
I'm also in outpatient treatment, AA, sponsor, therapy, etc etc.
Took a pill last night before bed, and it makes me reasonably sure I won't drink today.
I'm also in outpatient treatment, AA, sponsor, therapy, etc etc.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: trudgingroadofhappydestiny_NC
Posts: 36
I was prescribed it, used it like I was supposed and then got a wild hair and drank. I suffered no ill affects whatsoever from the combination.
No magic pill ( for me anyway ), but it has helped many on their path to recovery.
No magic pill ( for me anyway ), but it has helped many on their path to recovery.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 34
Originally Posted by caleb76
You can also talk to them about antabuse, but Campral acts differently, it helps suppress cravings.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 34
Well, at last here it is, about Campral and Antabuse:
Campral vs Antabuse. What is the difference? Quick Reference on Effects of Campral and Antabuse Drugs.(
I hope, it may be useful.
Campral vs Antabuse. What is the difference? Quick Reference on Effects of Campral and Antabuse Drugs.(
I hope, it may be useful.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 68
Originally Posted by AKDave
Have you considered Naltrexone? It can reduce your cravings and maybe get you through your two week hurdle.
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