jbean2018

Hi all - I have been saying for some time that I have a problem with alcohol (wine). No one seemed to take me seriously and would tell me it’s okay, not realizing I was starting my wine sipping around 2pm. I have reached a point where a bottle is easy for me to finish.... how did that happen?? Plus I have gained a lot of weight from it. I also already had cancer so should not be drinking on the medicine.
I have tried to stop drinking everyday for the past 6 months but have managed only a day or at most two. It’s depressing...
Today I decided I must do something about my problem. I told my husband who was very supportive. My ability to drink him under the table apparently concerned him.
I am wondering if anyone is on one of the medications that helps with the cravings? I appreciate the help and reading the other posts. Good to know I am not alone.

Offthemast

You can get naltrexone. It blocks dopamine receptors and when you drink you derive no pleasure and get really nauseous. Of course if I wanted to drink I just wouldn't take the naltrexone.

There appears to be no magic bullet.

August252015

We can't give medical advice here and should only speak from our experience.

For me, I was finally DONE drinking in Feb 2016. I took Antabuse for the first 90 days - I kept a log and signed and had it witnessed every day when I took it; I couldn't feasibly get to my dr's office so this was our solution- a lot of drs will have you come in for a daily dose because it is that serious of a med. You can get very sick and even die if you drink while on it. Prior to me taking it correctly, I had used and abused it in the past by skipping doses, drinking on it, and got very lucky nothing serious happened. I think this med is a great TOOL - not a cure or a solution- for people like me who were absolutely finished drinking, no questions. If you are waivering - not such a great idea.

I also took Campral for the first 18 mo or so of my sobriety (I have 23 mo today). It is an anti-craving med and I can honestly say I had no physical cravings at all and I went from a VERY severe vodka habit at the end (I'd hiked up from a bottle to three bottles of wine before I started in on the vodka). I felt like this was a great TOOL that just became automatic to take three times a day.

I didn't have a good experience with Naltrexone- because I just wanted to keep drinking so I didn't give it a chance to "dampen" anything.

I work a very dedicated AA program and that is the basis, along with my spiritual fitness (Which is a part of AA), of the great life I live in recovery. I am pro-meds if a good dr with whom you are honest prescribes them, and if you take them as prescribed. Drugs are just one part of my recovery plan.

Best to you - sounds like you have some physical reasons to stop that are really strong - and IRL support could be a great help.

Offthemast

I should have clarified. I had a script for Naltrexone and if I wanted to drink I wouldn't take it.

I wanted a buzz, so naltrexone was pointless. If I was forcefed it by someone else, that might've worked bc it made me severely sick when combined with alcohol.

TheToddman

I've tried the three most popular-campral, naltrexone and antabuse. Antabuse was a good short-term fix to break the drinking rhythm but ultimately I didn't stay consistent. I took naltrexone in the form of vivitrol, which is a very pricey shot that puts enough in the bloodstream to last for about a month (time-release). This *did* work for about three months but I invariably would wait until week three of that month to start drinking again. I can't say I gave campral a decent go; seems like there are some good experiences but as everyone alluded to those will vary.

Have you spoken to an addiction specialist about what they recommend? Some psychiatrists have training in addiction medicine and would be able to provide a regime that would suit you best.

To start out though, you've taken a huge step by being a part of this community. You have solid folks here who've dealt with the very same thing and are victorious and willing to help support you on this journey.

Congrats and welcome

jbean2018

Thank you for the comments. I found a doctor who deals with alcohol dependency who I am going to contact. I think Campral is what I am interested in. I can do this but I need to get past the afternoon craving and address the stress in my work life. I do believe this is another dimension of the depression I’ve dealt with since a young age. However, I am no longer young so time to deal with it. I did quit once for 10 yrs before a gregarious boss coerced me into starting to drink again.

Dee74

Welcome to SR JBean

D

Forward12

There are medications out there with the big 3 being naltrexone, campral, and antabuse. That's good news you found a doc to see about it, though medication is only a piece of the puzzle and most need something more solid to stay clean.
While you are there you can ask them to refer you to an addiction therapist to start seeing as well. Also good ol' AA is always there.

TYG2

I'm in Canada, on Topiramate (Topamax), it was originally prescribed as an anti-seizure for epilepsy, then for migraines. A recent study found it effective for lessening cravings in Alcoholic patients. It may be contraindicated with your medication for cancer therapy. I am not a Doctor (just play one on T.V.). Anyway, no side effects yet.

Ken0331

I tried Vivitrol for one month after a short relapse on the advice of an addiction Dr. I didn't like it b/c it took away my ability to feel good, about anything.

Discuss the options with the doc, and be willing to begin a program to get sober. Bring it up with the doc if he/she doesn't initiate that discussion.

Verdantia

Welcome, jbean! I love SR and it has been a huge help in my getting and staying sober-- lots of good people and advice. Glad you're here, and it's good your husband is being supportive.
I took naltrexone and it did what it advertised, although I did try drinking while on it. i opened a beer and poured it out halfway through, which was most unusual for me. It just seemed blah and unappealing. That being said, I did get drunk once from 7 beers after 2 months, and it wasn't pleasant at all, just very dopey and out of sync feeling. All told, it did help, though-I have two years and one month of sobriety. Wishing you all the best on your sober journey.

Gemini1967

Hi! I'm in Naltrixone and I have found it wonderful for cravingd. I took it before I was ready to commit to sobriety and drank on it a lot . and ended up in hospital. However it is a wonderful tool to help . I also attended AA and read a lot about sobriety. Alan Carr's book helped change my thinking as well. All these are tools to help if you are truly committed to stopping. 💚

Healthygoals

Naltrexone user here. It has been like a miracle to me with no side effects. I don't drink while on it nor do I have any desire to.

diha

I have been on antabuse, naltrexone, vivitrol, high dose baclofen, gabapentin, zofran, and campral. I have been trying to stop drinking for the past 9 years. I have tried IOP twice and have been in therapy forever. I have tried different self help books, all the groups..... I wish that I could quit without meds but I have tried and that has not worked. I figure I have to try everything.
Right now, I am on topamax. I am currently on 100 mg a day and alcohol is nasty. Wine is disgusting, anything with carbonated is just horrible. The side effects suck but I am hoping that they go away soon. There have been a few times that I wanted to stop the med because of the side effects but then I remember the hangovers and the where I was headed with my drinking habits.