Need4Change

I was just wondering if I was the only person here who has tried medication as an exclusive treatment regimen for alcoholism. Has anyone else tried meds and if so, what kind, how much and how effective (if at all) was that for you?. Any side effects and what were they?.

To name a few...

Campral
Antibuse
Naltrexone
Topamax (off-label use)

Just wondering...

Need4Change

nandm

There are actually several threads related to the topic of those types of meds in the alcoholism, recovery, and twelve steps areas of this forum. You might find some insight there.

Jomey

Sorry no info. on meds for ya, Need 4 - just wondering how you're doing today? J

Alive

I take meds, but for depression... I do value the hard work in finding the right ones.... I hope it all works good for you...And may you find stability between your body and spirit.

Peace, Karim

Dee74

don't want you to think I'm ignoring you LOL
just nothing to add - never tried them N4C

D

Need4Change

Thanks for replying

I am happy to report that I am sober today after a VERY stressful and not-so-sober day yesterday. Yesterday, all h*ll broke loose with the neighbors and the police were called. Then, me and my room mate were arguing all evening and I ended up drunk, sick and depressed (over several things that happened and was afraid would happen the following day). Tons of "Stuff" laying around that I was planning to send various family members for Christmas sat there unmailed while I stressed over how I was going to ever get through the holiday season with my sanity still intact. Tossed and turned all night, nightmares, woke up several times miserable, fretting and worrying. Then finally got up at about 7:30AM and my roommate and myself debated again (off and on) for several hours. Tons of stress but in the end, ALL packages got mailed out, room mate and me getting along fine, had a wonderful dinner and now I'm about to watch a movie and start back on my Campral again tommorow morning. I took an 1/8 of a dose (no effect). then I tried 1/4 dose (knocked out cravings and other "feelings" cold but gave me a headache after second day). Tommorow I'm going for 1/6th of a dose or whatever ends up finally working for me. These long nights, early mornings and hangovers-from-h*ll are starting to get V-E-R-Y old!!!.

Need4Change

Jersey Nonny

25 years or so ago, we used to joke that the doctors thought alcoholics had a "librium deficiency", because that was what they would prescribe. We were given doses in detox, and I begged to be taken off, because it made me feel like a zombie!

Are these drugs you're taking prescribed, or are you self-medicating? I know going cold-turkey is dangerous, but maybe a conventional detox would be more effective for you.

IO Storm

Need 4...

No..not exclusively for alcoholism..I didn't know a drug existed to cure this.


I do not feel comfortable telling you what I take..I take a lot of medication

for biplolar disorder...in addition to being a recovering alcoholic and an addict.

However; every person has individual needs and are NEVER EVER to copy

what another takes or use what "works" for another. The alcoholic/addict

has an already damaged sysytem. There is also the danger of overdose and

overlap of medication.

In my case..I see a psychiatrist who works with me monthly and monitors

my mental progress, and performs regular blood tests for toxicity.

I ask her to run random substance tests when I get the bloodwork also as an

added precaution. I "cheated" before in the past with amphetamines and thought I

was still sober becauyse I did not take a drink. Of course that gateway led to a

relapse with alcohol.

I have taken or am taking two of the meds you listed...and I do know this much.

Do NOT drink or use if you are taking them now.

Talk to your doctor.

Get or stay clean and sober.


Good Luck N4...

IO

tkdan

No your not the only no here who has tried meds. I take campral. Does it work? For me it does as long as I take the full dose. What are the side effects? I feel a little sleepy shortly after taking it but not bad. I do sleep better when I'm on it. I don't however depend on it to take away my disease. I just use it to help with cravings. Hope this helps.