Naltrexone?!
Belgian Sheepdog Adictee
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: In Today
Posts: 6,101
It is not a 'treatment.' It is an AID for early recovery for those who have chosen to work some type of recovery program, which in many cases includes daily meetings and a sponsor. It only works if the individual is willing to WORK VERY HARD at recovery.
Its not a 'magic bullet' and yes addicts do and have used while taking it.
Dream Angel what are YOU doing for YOU? Have you tried any Al-Anon or Nar-Anon meetings for YOU? Have you done any "Pro and Con" lists. About:
The current situation.
Staying with him in the future.
Going on the trip with him along.
Going on the vacation without him.
How his addiction is affection YOU.
etc etc etc
I hope you have been reading many of the posts and the "Stickys" on this forum to get an idea what those of us have been through with our A's. Some of us out got out sooner than others, but it was still H*LL.
I personally have lived in both worlds. I cannot say which is worse, being the addict or being the codie. What I can tell you I have learned is that 1) I am no longer a TOXIC person and 2) I no longer have TOXIC people in my life.
I know this is a very hard time for you. I know you have liteally had the wind knocked out of you and feel like you have been run over by a steam roller. I know your heat feels like it is in pieces.
However, it does not have to be that way forever. Step away from the A. Allow him the privelege of making his own choices, watch his ACTIONS from afar, don't listen to the words.
You are on the 'roller coaster' of addiction right now, right along with him. We can walk with you 'in spirit' but it is you that has to make the choices of where you stand on this.
I am going to give you one more tidbit and then I will shut up. I know from my own experience and working with other addicts in recovery that while while I was in using mode (for many years) I did not love myself and thus even though I told others "I loved them" I had no clue what love was. A person who does not love themselves cannot love another.
J M H O
Love and hugs,
Its not a 'magic bullet' and yes addicts do and have used while taking it.
Dream Angel what are YOU doing for YOU? Have you tried any Al-Anon or Nar-Anon meetings for YOU? Have you done any "Pro and Con" lists. About:
The current situation.
Staying with him in the future.
Going on the trip with him along.
Going on the vacation without him.
How his addiction is affection YOU.
etc etc etc
I hope you have been reading many of the posts and the "Stickys" on this forum to get an idea what those of us have been through with our A's. Some of us out got out sooner than others, but it was still H*LL.
I personally have lived in both worlds. I cannot say which is worse, being the addict or being the codie. What I can tell you I have learned is that 1) I am no longer a TOXIC person and 2) I no longer have TOXIC people in my life.
I know this is a very hard time for you. I know you have liteally had the wind knocked out of you and feel like you have been run over by a steam roller. I know your heat feels like it is in pieces.
However, it does not have to be that way forever. Step away from the A. Allow him the privelege of making his own choices, watch his ACTIONS from afar, don't listen to the words.
You are on the 'roller coaster' of addiction right now, right along with him. We can walk with you 'in spirit' but it is you that has to make the choices of where you stand on this.
I am going to give you one more tidbit and then I will shut up. I know from my own experience and working with other addicts in recovery that while while I was in using mode (for many years) I did not love myself and thus even though I told others "I loved them" I had no clue what love was. A person who does not love themselves cannot love another.
J M H O
Love and hugs,
Enlightened Black Man
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Georgia, USA
Posts: 23
Originally Posted by DreamAngel 
Did any of you hear about Naltrexone treatment?
Or know anybody that is on it?
Or know anybody that is on it?
RG
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 611
DreamAngel,
From what I understand about Naltrexone is that it is used by alcoholics, not opiate users, to help with the cravings. Isn't your boyfriend an opiate abuser? If he's been put on Naltrexone then there is another addiction (he didn't tell you about) to alcohol? Usually opiate users are put on Suboxone and/or Methadone.
From what I understand about Naltrexone is that it is used by alcoholics, not opiate users, to help with the cravings. Isn't your boyfriend an opiate abuser? If he's been put on Naltrexone then there is another addiction (he didn't tell you about) to alcohol? Usually opiate users are put on Suboxone and/or Methadone.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 122
From what I understand about Naltrexone is that it is used by alcoholics, not opiate users
Naltrexone - An Antagonist Therapy for Heroin Addiction
I just want to know if anybody actually been on it?
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 611
Umm, interesting... I work in the behavioral field and have been within the last 12 years. I have never seen an opiate user on naltrexone for maintenance. Is this what he's seeking it for? I read in the article it's more commonly used during detox, which I have seen.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 4,269
Ah yes, the quest for the magic cure. I know it well. I traveled this road searching for the cure for my daughter.
Link deleted (commercial site) PM for info
None of these medications do anything to eliminate the desire to get high. If opiates no longer work, well then, how about cocaine or something else to take the edge off, real life?
This is his addiction and his battle. Can you consider giving him the dignity to fight it, or not?
Link deleted (commercial site) PM for info
None of these medications do anything to eliminate the desire to get high. If opiates no longer work, well then, how about cocaine or something else to take the edge off, real life?
This is his addiction and his battle. Can you consider giving him the dignity to fight it, or not?
Last edited by greeteachday; 09-12-2009 at 08:53 PM.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kansas
Posts: 10,182
Using drugs isn't the problem...it's a symptom of the problem.
You can sober up a horsethief, and all you have is a horsethief who isn't drinking (or using, if you prefer, in your instance).
Drugs and alcohol kept me from blowing my brains out for many years. They were the solution for me.
Eventually they stopped working, and I could no longer escape from myself.
Fasten your seatbelt, hon, the ride's going to get very very bumpy, naltrexone or not.
You can sober up a horsethief, and all you have is a horsethief who isn't drinking (or using, if you prefer, in your instance).
Drugs and alcohol kept me from blowing my brains out for many years. They were the solution for me.
Eventually they stopped working, and I could no longer escape from myself.
Fasten your seatbelt, hon, the ride's going to get very very bumpy, naltrexone or not.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 122
I read in the article it's more commonly used during detox, which I have seen.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 611
Like the others have said before that these drugs are not the cure all. Some of them come with side effects and withdrawals themselves which lead the addict to use again.
I'm thinking you should let him find his own recovery and find out what works for him. That way, he will feel that he has made the progress on his own. No help. My RBF has told me this several times. It's not the way of others in which I get clean, it's not even my own way. It's the way that has worked for years... detox, rehab and lots of sober supports. Let the professionals guide him and let him make his own choices to his recovery. That way if he fails or succeeds he can own it as completely his own.
I'm thinking you should let him find his own recovery and find out what works for him. That way, he will feel that he has made the progress on his own. No help. My RBF has told me this several times. It's not the way of others in which I get clean, it's not even my own way. It's the way that has worked for years... detox, rehab and lots of sober supports. Let the professionals guide him and let him make his own choices to his recovery. That way if he fails or succeeds he can own it as completely his own.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 355
DreamAngel
My daughter (24)takes Suboxone, which I believe has naltrexone in it. Last year she was clean for almost 8 months from opiates. Along with the medication, she changed everything in her life, she went to intensive outpatient treatment, meetings, worked a job, stopped hanging out with almost all friends, was doing everything she was supposed to for the most part. She did this because SHE wanted to quit. I was very proud of her. I thought this was a magic pill that made my daughter seem like my daughter again. But unfortunately she relapsed.
She again started on suboxone a few months ago. This time she has not been to meetings (maybe 5), no counseling, same people, same places. She has actually gotten worse with all the addict behaviors like lying stealing, manupulating etc. When she does not have this medications, that puts her into withdrawals, and I think they are worse than opiates. So my opinion of Suboxone has changed somewhat over the past year.
I am for and against it. I think it is good when an addict is truly serious about recovery. They will do what it takes not to use.
I think it is just trading one drug for another when they take it the way my daughter takes it now. She is not serious about recovery, is not willing to do what it takes, so therefor nothing in her life will change.
Just my 2 cents worth on medication.
I wish you and your family the best of luck.
Gotahavfaith
My daughter (24)takes Suboxone, which I believe has naltrexone in it. Last year she was clean for almost 8 months from opiates. Along with the medication, she changed everything in her life, she went to intensive outpatient treatment, meetings, worked a job, stopped hanging out with almost all friends, was doing everything she was supposed to for the most part. She did this because SHE wanted to quit. I was very proud of her. I thought this was a magic pill that made my daughter seem like my daughter again. But unfortunately she relapsed.
She again started on suboxone a few months ago. This time she has not been to meetings (maybe 5), no counseling, same people, same places. She has actually gotten worse with all the addict behaviors like lying stealing, manupulating etc. When she does not have this medications, that puts her into withdrawals, and I think they are worse than opiates. So my opinion of Suboxone has changed somewhat over the past year.
I am for and against it. I think it is good when an addict is truly serious about recovery. They will do what it takes not to use.
I think it is just trading one drug for another when they take it the way my daughter takes it now. She is not serious about recovery, is not willing to do what it takes, so therefor nothing in her life will change.
Just my 2 cents worth on medication.
I wish you and your family the best of luck.
Gotahavfaith
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 122
So my opinion of Suboxone has changed somewhat over the past year.
I'm not posting this because i want him to get on it.
When he got out of the detox that was the plan before, but he relapsed before he had an appointment to see a specialist.
Nature Girl
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: By The Lake
Posts: 60,328
From where I sit, the only way to get clean/sober is to put down the drug...period.
And without a program and support, most addicts find the underlying problem still remains.
There is so much more to recovery than just how you get clean.
Also, his doctor is the person he should speak to about this. Only a professional will know his health history and if this is recommended or not.
I hope you find yourself some meetings which will help you take your focus off him and back to yourself.
Hugs
And without a program and support, most addicts find the underlying problem still remains.
There is so much more to recovery than just how you get clean.
Also, his doctor is the person he should speak to about this. Only a professional will know his health history and if this is recommended or not.
I hope you find yourself some meetings which will help you take your focus off him and back to yourself.
Hugs
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