Antabuse
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,645
Antabuse
...is dangerous for the rehab industry.
Why pay 30 thousand dollars to sit in a safe place for 30 days and color in coloring books? You can simply take a pill everyday with zero side effects (for me anyway) and you can't drink.
Detox alcoholics. Educate them about Antabuse and the disulfiram-ethanol interaction. Medically clear them to take it. Set them up with a doctor and recurring prescription with insurance on a sliding scale.
From there, the person can seek therapeutic help to determine the root cause of their drinking. If mental health services were more readily available to the public, I see only ONE problem with this:
You can drink around Antabuse. You can plan your relapse.
Go ahead and rail on me. :p
Why pay 30 thousand dollars to sit in a safe place for 30 days and color in coloring books? You can simply take a pill everyday with zero side effects (for me anyway) and you can't drink.
Detox alcoholics. Educate them about Antabuse and the disulfiram-ethanol interaction. Medically clear them to take it. Set them up with a doctor and recurring prescription with insurance on a sliding scale.
From there, the person can seek therapeutic help to determine the root cause of their drinking. If mental health services were more readily available to the public, I see only ONE problem with this:
You can drink around Antabuse. You can plan your relapse.
Go ahead and rail on me. :p
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NSW - Australia
Posts: 14,594
Why would I want to do that TWTOM just glad you have found something that is working for you as last few posts I read you were struggling.
And you don't have to take it forever, either, just gives you the space and time to find your feet. At least that's how I understand it. Wishing you all of the very best in whatever method you choose.
And you don't have to take it forever, either, just gives you the space and time to find your feet. At least that's how I understand it. Wishing you all of the very best in whatever method you choose.
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
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I appreciate you feel it's working for you, and that you feel pretty strongly about it, but it's not a one size fits all solution TWTOM.
Some can't use Antabuse for various health reasons, others use other meds, while others don't want to use medications at all.
I didn't go to rehab but it's helped save some of my friends lives.
I didn't go to AA either or SMART or read Rational Recovery but the same applies.
It's a good thing that there are so many options out there available, yeah?
D
Some can't use Antabuse for various health reasons, others use other meds, while others don't want to use medications at all.
I didn't go to rehab but it's helped save some of my friends lives.
I didn't go to AA either or SMART or read Rational Recovery but the same applies.
It's a good thing that there are so many options out there available, yeah?
D
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,444
It's natural to be enthused with something that offers a solution, let alone something that can be seen to work
I think everyone here understands that, or has experienced it themselves with their own recovery path, whatever that may be
D
I think everyone here understands that, or has experienced it themselves with their own recovery path, whatever that may be
D
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 514
Hey TWTOM. The thing about Antabuse is that it actually can be deadly if you drink on it. It's easy to say well yeah that's the point - but alcoholics find any reason to drink and it could trigger some very serious health complications. It basically mimics certain withdrawal symptoms. I think it's a good short-term solution and can help break the initial habit, but longer term most people need a real plan and support.
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,251
I'm glad antabuse is working for you. It works for me too. But don't know rehab until you've tired it. Rehab saved my life and I loved it. It was much more than just sitting around and colouring in colouring books. We worked with professionals (doctors and psychologists) to get started on the right path and gained support from other alcoholics in recovery. I learned to eat again, 3 healthy meals a day. I got on a regular sleep schedule, detoxed in a safe place, dealt with other underlying issues. I loved it so much that after a one day relapse I called up my psychologist there and begged to come back. I had stopped drinking by the time I called her and she informed me that "it wasn't a hotel" I couldn't just check-in/check-out at will. If I ever get into serious trouble again (here's hoping I don't) I wouldn't hesitate to go back.
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NSW - Australia
Posts: 14,594
Yes, that's why he did get sick TWTOM and speaks to your being able to "drink around it." Crazy hey? Why take it if you are (not you) going to try to trick it?
Like Mera I found rehab gave me greater psychological tools, but I do know that the "colouring book" varieties do exist. I was in one, but didn't even get a colouring book
. They took the cash though.
I've read a few of your other posts and you seem to be taking advantage of a lot of other stuff too, and sound heaps better, which is great. Congratulations.
I can't understand why you think your original post was insensitive. I really can't.
Like Mera I found rehab gave me greater psychological tools, but I do know that the "colouring book" varieties do exist. I was in one, but didn't even get a colouring book
. They took the cash though. I've read a few of your other posts and you seem to be taking advantage of a lot of other stuff too, and sound heaps better, which is great. Congratulations.
I can't understand why you think your original post was insensitive. I really can't.
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,293
Originally Posted by Steely 
I've never used Antabuse. Saw my father get really sick on it and it scared me. I know it's helped some people though.
Behold the power of NO
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: WA
Posts: 7,764
Originally Posted by Dee74
It's natural to be enthused with something that offers a solution, let alone something that can be seen to work
I think everyone here understands that, or has experienced it themselves with their own recovery path, whatever that may be
D
I think everyone here understands that, or has experienced it themselves with their own recovery path, whatever that may be
D
I used to feel strongly against antabuse and other meds; dismissing them as crutches but then I saw that it really helped some people and this is all what matters.
Drinking alcoholically makes for a sad life and I am just glad to see that there are so many options out there and so many people who like us stopped poisoning themselves.
At the end of the day, the goal is to live a content, healthy, sober life and whatever leads to that is good in my book
Keep up the good work.
:
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: upstate new york
Posts: 131
never met a pill yet you can't drink on...including Antabuse. kind of reminds me of a recent post I just read that stated the pill they just started taking ( I think for anxiety) is impossible to drink on. huh ?
I really believe a med like Antabuse should only be prescribed by an addiction specialist who knows the persons history and will closely monitor the situation not by a GP which was the case for me. I didn't even know the guy. it was a long time ago and I was very young.
alcoholics being alcoholics sometimes just don't have the resolve that they think they do. that being said I am very glad for those that it helps and I wish you the best also.
I really believe a med like Antabuse should only be prescribed by an addiction specialist who knows the persons history and will closely monitor the situation not by a GP which was the case for me. I didn't even know the guy. it was a long time ago and I was very young.
alcoholics being alcoholics sometimes just don't have the resolve that they think they do. that being said I am very glad for those that it helps and I wish you the best also.
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,645
Originally Posted by Carlotta
I second what Dee said.
I used to feel strongly against antabuse and other meds; dismissing them as crutches but then I saw that it really helped some people and this is all what matters.
Drinking alcoholically makes for a sad life and I am just glad to see that there are so many options out there and so many people who like us stopped poisoning themselves.
At the end of the day, the goal is to live a content, healthy, sober life and whatever leads to that is good in my book
Keep up the good work.:
I used to feel strongly against antabuse and other meds; dismissing them as crutches but then I saw that it really helped some people and this is all what matters.
Drinking alcoholically makes for a sad life and I am just glad to see that there are so many options out there and so many people who like us stopped poisoning themselves.
At the end of the day, the goal is to live a content, healthy, sober life and whatever leads to that is good in my book
Keep up the good work.
:It's not a crutch. It's my daily commitment to another 24 hours sober. Technically like 3-5 days, but psychologically, 24 hours.
I use it to supplement other forms of support and it's a VERY good supplement.
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,645
Originally Posted by markinny
never met a pill yet you can't drink on...including Antabuse. kind of reminds me of a recent post I just read that stated the pill they just started taking ( I think for anxiety) is impossible to drink on. huh ?
I really believe a med like Antabuse should only be prescribed by an addiction specialist who knows the persons history and will closely monitor the situation not by a GP which was the case for me. I didn't even know the guy. it was a long time ago and I was very young.
alcoholics being alcoholics sometimes just don't have the resolve that they think they do. that being said I am very glad for those that it helps and I wish you the best also.
I really believe a med like Antabuse should only be prescribed by an addiction specialist who knows the persons history and will closely monitor the situation not by a GP which was the case for me. I didn't even know the guy. it was a long time ago and I was very young.
alcoholics being alcoholics sometimes just don't have the resolve that they think they do. that being said I am very glad for those that it helps and I wish you the best also.
It will just make you violently ill and put you into an immediate medical emergency. It's a deterrent to impulsive drinking.
It doesn't make you high. You don't feel anything euphoric. There may be side effects, so it should be discussed and prescribed by a doctor that knows your medical history and current health.
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Join Date: Aug 2015
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Originally Posted by VigilanceNow
Hey TWTOM. The thing about Antabuse is that it actually can be deadly if you drink on it. It's easy to say well yeah that's the point - but alcoholics find any reason to drink and it could trigger some very serious health complications. It basically mimics certain withdrawal symptoms. I think it's a good short-term solution and can help break the initial habit, but longer term most people need a real plan and support.
It's a good tool IMO- to be used carefully.
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: northern michigan. not the U.P.
Posts: 15,281
i think you may have a misconception about rehabs, TWTOM.
ive been to meetings at a few different rehabs and know quite a few people that got sober through rehabs. never once heard they sat around for 30 days coloring in books.
heard quite often,though, that they learned tools to live life on lifes terms and also had help facing underlying issues.
in fact you can read about that happening in rehabs right here quite often
ive been to meetings at a few different rehabs and know quite a few people that got sober through rehabs. never once heard they sat around for 30 days coloring in books.
heard quite often,though, that they learned tools to live life on lifes terms and also had help facing underlying issues.
in fact you can read about that happening in rehabs right here quite often
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: middle of nowhere
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Twtom,
I agree antabuse is a great tool for those in recovery, if it's actually used for prevention purposes.
Agreed with everyone though, actually I heard at the last meeting that I went to that this guy who was in the military and ordered to go to rehab and they were made to take antabuse. Well first he pocketed it (until he realized there were cameras on him
) then he would take it for a certain number of days until he thought it was out of his system, drink again, sober up and go back on antabuse. There are many true, deeply entrenched alcoholics for whom this pill just won't work. Not until one is ready to fully commit to sobriety will any tool they have in their toolbox work to it's full capacity.
Me, I needed pretty much everything including treatment and antabuse to get myself over the hump. When I came out of treatment, I took antabuse because I knew I would be vulnerable and I was VERY grateful I had it. I dealt with a very difficult two weeks straight out of treatment and I was white knuckling it and the only thing that kept me from drinking after my grandfather's death was the antabuse.
Now, I have a good recovery program in place and tons of support. I have learned I can weather any storm without the antabuse and I don't take it anymore.
Besides which, the side effects were pretty extreme for me, and the costs were also prohibitively high and the drug is not easy to find here and I had to get it from a compounding pharmacy. It actually took me I think 3 months or more to find the drug available in my city.
Btw, treatment was an intense, grueling and a life changing 6 weeks for me.
Honestly, the amount of work and tools I've put into this gig over the past 10 months have all helped me get to where I am today. No one thing did the trick.
Other than making the choice, and throwing everything I could at the problem.
I agree antabuse is a great tool for those in recovery, if it's actually used for prevention purposes.
Agreed with everyone though, actually I heard at the last meeting that I went to that this guy who was in the military and ordered to go to rehab and they were made to take antabuse. Well first he pocketed it (until he realized there were cameras on him
) then he would take it for a certain number of days until he thought it was out of his system, drink again, sober up and go back on antabuse. There are many true, deeply entrenched alcoholics for whom this pill just won't work. Not until one is ready to fully commit to sobriety will any tool they have in their toolbox work to it's full capacity. Me, I needed pretty much everything including treatment and antabuse to get myself over the hump. When I came out of treatment, I took antabuse because I knew I would be vulnerable and I was VERY grateful I had it. I dealt with a very difficult two weeks straight out of treatment and I was white knuckling it and the only thing that kept me from drinking after my grandfather's death was the antabuse.
Now, I have a good recovery program in place and tons of support. I have learned I can weather any storm without the antabuse and I don't take it anymore.
Besides which, the side effects were pretty extreme for me, and the costs were also prohibitively high and the drug is not easy to find here and I had to get it from a compounding pharmacy. It actually took me I think 3 months or more to find the drug available in my city.
Btw, treatment was an intense, grueling and a life changing 6 weeks for me.
Honestly, the amount of work and tools I've put into this gig over the past 10 months have all helped me get to where I am today. No one thing did the trick.
Other than making the choice, and throwing everything I could at the problem.
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