telephonepole

I'm having a hard time quitting drinking on my own. I was on Antabuse, but I stopped taking it because I was just drinking and getting sick anyway.

I want to try Campral and/or Naltrexone for the cravings. So far I've asked several psychiatrists about these drugs, and none of them have been familiar enough with them to be comfortable giving me a prescription.

So who WOULD give me a prescription? A regular doctor? Some sort of addiction specialist? Can one even get these medications without going into a rehab program?

Thanks.

Dee74

I have no experience with either of these drugs personally, but I think your regular Dr (GP) would be a good first port of call

Discuss this with them and you can work out together if these treatments would be suitable for you or not

D

suki44883

It was prescribed for me when I left medical detox. I would think your regular GP could prescribe it for you, but he may refer you to an addictions specialist.

ceponatia

You can get them from a psychiatrist pretty easily.

telephonepole

I haven't been able to get either drug from any of several psychiatrists I asked. I even got desperate enough at one point to cold-call different psychiatrists I hadn't seen before to ask if they were comfortable prescribing those drugs, and none were.

CarolD

Are you doing anything for your goal of not drinking other than
trying to get drugs?

I never tried those however...
I too quit taking Antabuse because I returned to drinking.
I did quit shortly after by re connecting to AA...

The cravings/urges/compulsions can be overcome and mine did
not last very long.

winslynn

They haven't invented a miracle pill that's going to cure your alcoholism.I tried a lot of different pills to get some relief and they didn't work in the long run.I hated the thought of getting involved with AA but finally was forced to.It's been good for a long time now,but how I resisted it until I saw death right around the corner,then I wanted AA...really wanted it.

Jitterbugg

You can ask any GP for those prescriptions. I think they may be more familiar with them than shrinks. My doctor actually asked if I would like to try them, but I declined

Sally1009

Why dont you print off the drug's properties, and show the paperwork to your Doctor?
He might change his mind if he sees some paperwork.

tomsteve

after 20+ years of drinking with it getting progressively worse and trying many different ways to stop, i found the best prescription to get over the cravings to be a Higher Power and T.I.M.E.

rockindog

Since coming forward to my doc on Easter Sunday, I have been taking Campral. It has not helped. I am as big a mess as I have ever been. I also have a horrible skin reaction that has started since taking Campral. I just don't know what to do at this point. I feel that there is a world out there for me to be part of, but, right now, I can't be part of it. I have a loving wife, children and all I can seem to do is to want to throw it all away. I have dealt with this for such a long time and I fear my time is running out. I just need some help. Much as I hate to admit it.

CarolD

For me...it came down to....I wanted to quit more than I wanted to drink.


I certainly hope you too will reach that point ..and move forward...

NYCDoglvr

Please go to a physician, preferably one with experience in addiction. You're trying to self-medicate. You can stop, I promise, but not this way.

GregMan

About six months ago, I went to my doctor and inquired about camprol and vivitrol. He also was unfamiliar with those drugs, and said he wasn't qualified in addiction... I've since began therapy with an addiction specialist, and he does prescribe addiction meds. We've found it more important to tackle some of the underlying issues that I have (such as anxiety and depression) first though, and I've been doing pretty good. Persons, places and things have always been the first to get me off the wagon, much worse than random cravings. HALT has also been instrumental for me.

telephonepole

Yeah, i'm going to AA as well.

telephonepole

And i'm also being treated in therapy for some dual diagnosis stuff.