Daybreak1964

Hi all,

I'm in Perth & just started on the above medication Friday 29/10 just wanted to say hi, I've been drinking 2 bottles of wine every night for over 20 years and hoping this medication will be of some help, looking forward to reading your stories I've had some side effects from the medication over the weekend so I've halved it for now as at work...feeling food so far, not sure if a placebo affect be already cut my drinking down! all be it only day 3 three!!

Thanks Dawn

Dee74

No experience with naltrexone or with baclofen for drinking, but I wish you well daybreak

Welcome

D

Erratic

Hey there x i am also on baclofen

Good luck on your journey and great stuff on day 3 xx oh and luv perth (scotland?)
i am back on day 2 and just started baclofen again

welcome again x

Gottalife

Have you talked to your doctor about possible withdrawals/seizures? I don't think either of those medications treats withdrawal, which I would think would be a good possibility given how much you drank and for how long.

MindfulMan

My outside psychiatrist recommended investigating Naltrexone and/or baclofen as an insurance against cravings. My outpatient psychiatrist didn't think it was necessary, but if I do start experiencing cravings that it was a possibility.

These medications are not used for alcohol withdrawal, but as a follow-up treatment for symptom management after initial sobriety is obtained.

Or so sayeth my doctors. YMMV. Listen to yours. I wouldn't change dosage without consulting with him/her first.

When I first saw Perth, I assumed WA, not Scotland!

FloridaSoul

I saw a documentary about Naltrexone and may want to try it, I would like to hear about anyone's experience with it. I am concerned about asking for a script from my doctor, I am not sure I want that in my medical record. To be honest, I am afraid to discuss my drinking problem with my doctor at all, afraid it will affect my insurance or something down the road. Am I alone in not wanting to divulge that info to my doctor? It is a Family Practice, general doctor, not a psychiatrist.

Horn95

Perth is in Australia.

Forward12

Perhaps start seeing an addiction therapist as they can prescribe it as well if they see fit. Though while medication can help with the battle, but it won't be a silver bullet. Medication plus treatment would be a strong option to recovery.

SnoozyQ

Hi Dawn.

I was on naltrexone for 2 years. It worked very effectively for me.

After I relapsed my doctor didn't know what to do with me. Camprel just didn't work ,

I would have to say that baclofen was what saved me.
It eased me through though first horrendous initial days with no dire consequences.

I would totally recommend baclofen.

But discuss with your doctor first and together you can work out what's best for you.

My doctor told me that bacolfen is used in MS patients to stop spacicty.

I don't have MS. But he said this is what they are using in alcohol fascilities in Australia but it's not known but a lot of doctors.

Make sure you find the RIGHT doctor as many just don't know how to treat alcoholics.

Good luck.

Having said all that....what works for one person, doesn't work for another


Wishing you well xxx

Alexe

I have tried Naltrexone and it didn't do much for me. It did make me want to drink less, but I would still drink the bottle of wine. It didn't turn off the switch as they say for me. Hopefully it will be different for you. Best of luck 😊

SnoozyQ

Hi FloridaS

Dr Patient confidentiality should prevent this from happening to your insurance.

But I would highly recommend you discuss your drinking problem with your doctor now, rather than later.

THAT is YOUR insurance into making it to old age.

Please don't be afraid to do this. The sooner you do it, the sooner you start to get your life back.

Yesterday is gone, tomorrow isn't here yet, so do what you need to do for you today.

Much love ,

Good luck xxxx


Do it

SnoozyQ

I agree Alexe

Naltrexone does NOT work if you are still actively drinking. But it does work if you are not.

Behappy1

Can a regular family doctor prescribe this?? I am not finding a definitive answer or are addiction clinics the only ones who can??

Forward12

It would depend on your doc. Go in informed and let them know about your drinking and that you would like to try these medications to help you with sobriety.
Since they are non-addictive drugs most GP's should be ok with prescribing them, but they may refer you to a psychiatric professional if they don't feel comfortable about it. Though it's best to use the medications in tandem with an addiction specialist, AA, outpatient rehab, or another recovery program.

Behappy1

The youtubes that I have seen says to take an hour before drinking in order for it to”deactivate “ the cravings? Also, is this something you take every day? It appears to be the same as the shot vivitrol?

LoveMeNow

Yes, it's the oral form of vivitrol. My friends takes it and claims that it helped considerably with her cravings.

Dee74

Just a reminder that discussions about naltrexone with the aim of abstinence are fine - but using naltrexone to try and moderate drinking is off topic here at SR


Also - please do share your experience - but no recommendations for others thanks. Recommendations need to come from Doctors.

thanks

Dee
Moderator
SR

Dee74

Perth Australia is named for Perth Scotland

D

Behappy1

Sorry Dee - I think I came across wrong in my post. Didn’t mean for moderation of intake. I was confused on the right way to take it. I’ve read both ways. I am not drinking, but these cravings can be pretty fierce @ times.

Dee74

No worries Behappy. I figured I knew what you meant, but I just don't want anyone to run with the idea

D