Our Hats Are Off To You
Psalm 118:24
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 15,203
Our Hats Are Off To You
I WENT TO A MEETING LAST NIGHT AT A RECOVERY CENTERAND MISSED OUT ON A TV PROGRAM ABOUT A NEW PILL THEY WERE WORKING ON FOR ALCOHOLICS. I SEARCHED THE NET AND I DON'T KNOW IF, THIS IS WHAT THEY WERE REFERRING TO OR NOT.
http://www.ktre.com/Global/story.asp...6&nav=2FH5V5ve
WHEN, I BROUGHT THIS UP FOR A TOPIC, IT SURPRISED ME THE REPLYS I GOT ON THE SUBJECT. EVERYONE IN THERE SAID PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DRINK UNLESS THEY COULD GET DRUNK
I DIDN'T ALWAYS GO OUT WITH THE INTENTIONS OF GETTING DRUNK. A LOT OF TIMES THOUGH, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. I LIKE TO THINK, WE DRINK IN SOME CASES TO BE SOCIAL , WE DRINK TO LOOSEN UP AS WELL AS TO GET DRUNK.
THE BEST RRESPONSE I GOT ON THIS WAS AN OLDTIMER SAYING THIS MAKES AS MUCH SENSE AS TAKING VIAGRA WITH OUT A WOMAN TO SHARE IT WITH. MY THOUGHTS STILL THINK IT WOULD BE NICE TO SIT WITH PEOPLE AND NOT DRINK TO EXCESS. THERE'S WHERE OUR MINDS ARE IF, YOU'RE AN ALCOHOLIC. WE AEN'T ABLE TO LEAVE A DRINK BEHIND. MUCH LIKE AN OVER WEIGHT PERSON CAN LEAVE FOOD ON HIS PLATE.
I'VE HAD AN O'DOULS N/A BEER B 4. I'VE HAD LONG DISCUSSIONS ON THIS AS WELL. IS THIS SUCH A BAD THING? I'VE SMOKED CIGARETTES AND NOT THINK, I WISH I HAD A JOINT. !!!!!!!!!!
I DON'T KNOW JUST WONDERIN WHAT ANYONE ELSE MIGHT THINK ABOUT THIS
CHRIS
http://www.ktre.com/Global/story.asp...6&nav=2FH5V5ve
WHEN, I BROUGHT THIS UP FOR A TOPIC, IT SURPRISED ME THE REPLYS I GOT ON THE SUBJECT. EVERYONE IN THERE SAID PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DRINK UNLESS THEY COULD GET DRUNK
I DIDN'T ALWAYS GO OUT WITH THE INTENTIONS OF GETTING DRUNK. A LOT OF TIMES THOUGH, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. I LIKE TO THINK, WE DRINK IN SOME CASES TO BE SOCIAL , WE DRINK TO LOOSEN UP AS WELL AS TO GET DRUNK.
THE BEST RRESPONSE I GOT ON THIS WAS AN OLDTIMER SAYING THIS MAKES AS MUCH SENSE AS TAKING VIAGRA WITH OUT A WOMAN TO SHARE IT WITH. MY THOUGHTS STILL THINK IT WOULD BE NICE TO SIT WITH PEOPLE AND NOT DRINK TO EXCESS. THERE'S WHERE OUR MINDS ARE IF, YOU'RE AN ALCOHOLIC. WE AEN'T ABLE TO LEAVE A DRINK BEHIND. MUCH LIKE AN OVER WEIGHT PERSON CAN LEAVE FOOD ON HIS PLATE.
I'VE HAD AN O'DOULS N/A BEER B 4. I'VE HAD LONG DISCUSSIONS ON THIS AS WELL. IS THIS SUCH A BAD THING? I'VE SMOKED CIGARETTES AND NOT THINK, I WISH I HAD A JOINT. !!!!!!!!!!
I DON'T KNOW JUST WONDERIN WHAT ANYONE ELSE MIGHT THINK ABOUT THIS
CHRIS
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Lubbock, TX
Posts: 2
Well, I don't know. Seems like society is always looking for that "magic pill" to cure our ills.
As for myself, I love to drink. I love to get heavily sedated by alcohol. I love to drink and get drunk every day and I'd just as soon be alone when doing it.
Can this magic pill take those cravings away? Even if it would, it seems like it would be awfully tempting to go off the pill for a bender every once in a while.
A new way to control ourselves and drink like gentlemen, right?
I'm very skeptical. I think I'll stick with the 12 steps and my AA friends.
As for myself, I love to drink. I love to get heavily sedated by alcohol. I love to drink and get drunk every day and I'd just as soon be alone when doing it.
Can this magic pill take those cravings away? Even if it would, it seems like it would be awfully tempting to go off the pill for a bender every once in a while.
A new way to control ourselves and drink like gentlemen, right?
I'm very skeptical. I think I'll stick with the 12 steps and my AA friends.
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Faraway, CO
Posts: 162
Hi Chris,
In the last couple years, I had no illusions about how much I was going to drink on a given day. I often kept a spare 12-pack in the trunk of my car in addition to whatever was in the house.
To me, it's just not worth it to approach the precipice again. I went through too much to toy with idea of using alcohol now. Alcohol is not important. It's not important that I can't drink socially. A lot of non alcholic people choose to abstain of their own free will and suffer no loss of social life. The last time I approached that ledge, I spent a decade in free fall.
I was talking with one of my sponsors about going back to college and finishing my degree, starting a new career, etc. He said, "You can do anything you want in life, except drink."
Imagine that - anything!
Tracy
Originally Posted by CAPTAINZING2000
WHEN, I BROUGHT THIS UP FOR A TOPIC, IT SURPRISED ME THE REPLYS I GOT ON THE SUBJECT. EVERYONE IN THERE SAID PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DRINK UNLESS THEY COULD GET DRUNK
I DIDN'T ALWAYS GO OUT WITH THE INTENTIONS OF GETTING DRUNK. A LOT OF TIMES THOUGH, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. I LIKE TO THINK, WE DRINK IN SOME CASES TO BE SOCIAL , WE DRINK TO LOOSEN UP AS WELL AS TO GET DRUNK.
I DIDN'T ALWAYS GO OUT WITH THE INTENTIONS OF GETTING DRUNK. A LOT OF TIMES THOUGH, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. I LIKE TO THINK, WE DRINK IN SOME CASES TO BE SOCIAL , WE DRINK TO LOOSEN UP AS WELL AS TO GET DRUNK.
To me, it's just not worth it to approach the precipice again. I went through too much to toy with idea of using alcohol now. Alcohol is not important. It's not important that I can't drink socially. A lot of non alcholic people choose to abstain of their own free will and suffer no loss of social life. The last time I approached that ledge, I spent a decade in free fall.
I was talking with one of my sponsors about going back to college and finishing my degree, starting a new career, etc. He said, "You can do anything you want in life, except drink."
Imagine that - anything!
Tracy
Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Boston
Posts: 710
I would have absolutely no interest in a "pill" for my alcoholism, because the pill may or may not make me physically sober, but that was never my problem in the first place, my problem was and is always ME and my thinking, my attitudes, my words and my actions. And there is no pill for that. LOL
EMOTIONAL SOBRIETY, can not be gotten by swallowing a pill in any form, it can only be gotten by changing the person that I brought through those doors of alcoholics anonymous....one step at a time, from the inside to the outside.
There is nothing that I can swallow, from the outside, to take care of the real problem the ISM'S on the inside
Recovery.....is an inside job
EMOTIONAL SOBRIETY, can not be gotten by swallowing a pill in any form, it can only be gotten by changing the person that I brought through those doors of alcoholics anonymous....one step at a time, from the inside to the outside.
There is nothing that I can swallow, from the outside, to take care of the real problem the ISM'S on the inside
Recovery.....is an inside job
Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Boston
Posts: 710
I'VE HAD AN O'DOULS N/A BEER B 4. I'VE HAD LONG DISCUSSIONS ON THIS AS WELL. IS THIS SUCH A BAD THING?
That about says it all for this alkie. lol
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: fumbling towards ecstasy
Posts: 2,551
I heard at a meeting that if there is a pill that would allow us to drink normally, the true alcoholic would respond... "well, if one pill would allow me to drink normally, then I wonder what two pills would do?"
So, so true.
phinny
So, so true.
phinny
Psalm 118:24
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 15,203
lol
that's good
Quote:
"if one pill would allow me to drink normally, then I wonder what two pills would do?"
You know, they say some are sicker then others
I couldn't believe the responses I get on this. Everyone wanted to get drunk. My mind didn't always say that to me. That's the PI$$ER part of this. The drinking a few beers and leaving sober and the next time getting trashed.
Might be why so many of us had to experiment until later in their drinking years. The kids coming in now that makes me have some respect for them to face up to the fact that they're having problems. Myself, I had this I was just young and sowing my wild oats. That's all it was with me.
Did any one go thru any periods of staying sober by themselves and adjust well?
that's good
Quote:
"if one pill would allow me to drink normally, then I wonder what two pills would do?"
You know, they say some are sicker then others
I couldn't believe the responses I get on this. Everyone wanted to get drunk. My mind didn't always say that to me. That's the PI$$ER part of this. The drinking a few beers and leaving sober and the next time getting trashed.
Might be why so many of us had to experiment until later in their drinking years. The kids coming in now that makes me have some respect for them to face up to the fact that they're having problems. Myself, I had this I was just young and sowing my wild oats. That's all it was with me.
Did any one go thru any periods of staying sober by themselves and adjust well?
Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Arizona
Posts: 872
Love that one, Music --
Heard Steve B. (San Diego) put it like this:
"Drinking near beer for the taste is like going to a Whorehouse to listen to the piano player..."
Too funny.
An old timer in my home group, when he went to a bar for lunch years ago, had an Indian buddy of his ask him if he is a lion tamer? "no...." "well, then what the hell are you doing in the lion's cage?"
That's a crock for me, anyway. I used to say that too -- "I drink beer because I like the taste..." Well, truth is -- I like Diet Pepsi, but I don't drink it by the CASE!!!!
It's a great day to be sober.
Ken
Heard Steve B. (San Diego) put it like this:
"Drinking near beer for the taste is like going to a Whorehouse to listen to the piano player..."
Too funny.
An old timer in my home group, when he went to a bar for lunch years ago, had an Indian buddy of his ask him if he is a lion tamer? "no...." "well, then what the hell are you doing in the lion's cage?"
That's a crock for me, anyway. I used to say that too -- "I drink beer because I like the taste..." Well, truth is -- I like Diet Pepsi, but I don't drink it by the CASE!!!!
It's a great day to be sober.
Ken
Psalm 118:24
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 15,203
Must be the mind then. Having had an O'Douls on occasion has not made me desire a real beer. Taking an aspirin hasn't led me to want to do drugs. This brings me to the original question, to drink a beer with someone and leave.
Does it not say if, our spiritual condition is in place we can do things? I've not went and hung around bars since not drinking. I've been to many places where alochol is served. We'd have to become lepers to avoid alcohol all together. Wedding receptions, any nice dining place etc.
Doesn't there come a point where, we look in the mirror and just say I don't drink {PERIOD}
The meetings I go to always drive home the (HALT) . My emotions are on even keel, this is one of the things AA has brought to me. 1.We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. 9.Our whole attitude and outlook on life will change. does these promises not hold true? They have held true for me. I stayed in AA for this very reason. If, I have to live in fear which the 12 promises have said will leave me. What kind of life is that?
I din't get sober to be a recluse from my fellow men. All I was looking for was a response. It's in our minds, many of have the 1 goal of getting drunk. Why do you suppose this is? I don't think, this always hold true. Did we always say I'm getting loaded?????
What part of drinking at an early age played a part? Drinking at an early age getting drunk was the effect most of us were seeking. The progression of our drinking is what finally stopped me. I could and would take a case of beer an polish it off at my cabin on the lake. I've never had a desire to do that with an O'Douls, soda, coffee etc.
Does it not say if, our spiritual condition is in place we can do things? I've not went and hung around bars since not drinking. I've been to many places where alochol is served. We'd have to become lepers to avoid alcohol all together. Wedding receptions, any nice dining place etc.
Doesn't there come a point where, we look in the mirror and just say I don't drink {PERIOD}
The meetings I go to always drive home the (HALT) . My emotions are on even keel, this is one of the things AA has brought to me. 1.We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. 9.Our whole attitude and outlook on life will change. does these promises not hold true? They have held true for me. I stayed in AA for this very reason. If, I have to live in fear which the 12 promises have said will leave me. What kind of life is that?
I din't get sober to be a recluse from my fellow men. All I was looking for was a response. It's in our minds, many of have the 1 goal of getting drunk. Why do you suppose this is? I don't think, this always hold true. Did we always say I'm getting loaded?????
What part of drinking at an early age played a part? Drinking at an early age getting drunk was the effect most of us were seeking. The progression of our drinking is what finally stopped me. I could and would take a case of beer an polish it off at my cabin on the lake. I've never had a desire to do that with an O'Douls, soda, coffee etc.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Zion, Illinois
Posts: 3,411
Originally Posted by CAPTAINZING2000
Does it not say if, our spiritual condition is in place we can do things?
Picking out certain promises to help you make a point is fine as far at it goes. I also recall it saying something about being painstaking about our development and that the promises will materialize if we work for them. That we realize that God is doing for us what we couldn't do for ourselves.
Psalm 118:24
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ILLINOIS
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Well, I Drank N/a Wine At Communion. The Desire To Drink Again Has Left Me. I've Notheing Left To Prove. It Is In The Mind. What Would You Say To An Over Wight Person After They've Lost Weight? You Can't Ever Eat Again You'll Over Indulge? How Do You Answer That? Does This Not Apply? If Not, Why Not?
I Was Honest At My Alcohol Evalutaion I Wasn' Even Diagnosed As An Alcoholic. Just A Problem Drinker. Any One Else Take An Evaluation?music, How Long Did You Drink? What Were Your Drinking Habits? I Recall My Friend B 4 He Got Into Aa, Carrying His Pkg. Liquor With Him Walking To His House Because He Had 3 Dui's.
Was I Lucky? Did I Come To The Crossroads In My Life And Take The Right Road.
I Go To 6 Meetings A Week On An Average. My Mind Is Not Taking Me Places I Live, Eat And Sleep This Program. Just Asking Your's An Everyone Else's Thought's
I Was Honest At My Alcohol Evalutaion I Wasn' Even Diagnosed As An Alcoholic. Just A Problem Drinker. Any One Else Take An Evaluation?music, How Long Did You Drink? What Were Your Drinking Habits? I Recall My Friend B 4 He Got Into Aa, Carrying His Pkg. Liquor With Him Walking To His House Because He Had 3 Dui's.
Was I Lucky? Did I Come To The Crossroads In My Life And Take The Right Road.
I Go To 6 Meetings A Week On An Average. My Mind Is Not Taking Me Places I Live, Eat And Sleep This Program. Just Asking Your's An Everyone Else's Thought's
Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Zion, Illinois
Posts: 3,411
Originally Posted by CAPTAINZING2000
music, How Long Did You Drink? What Were Your Drinking Habits?
I've drank sparkling wine at weddings and such. I've dipped the wafer in the cup at Catholic Mass when there was wine in it. The point is not where the body is or what the body is doing. The point is, where is my head. Why would I drink a near beer? Am I playing games or what? I don't play games Captain, not where my sobriety is concerned. Dipping a wafer in wine, believing it's the body and blood of Christ is different than dipping the wafe in the wine so I can taste the wine to see if I can get away with it. Some people may argue with this point and that's ok. I attend mass a couple times a year, and usually there's grape juice in the cup. Like I said, it's where my head is that counts.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: The Field of Dreams
Posts: 7,249
Originally Posted by Phinneas
I heard at a meeting that if there is a pill that would allow us to drink normally, the true alcoholic would respond... "well, if one pill would allow me to drink normally, then I wonder what two pills would do?"
So, so true.
phinny
So, so true.
phinny
Psalm 118:24
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 15,203
Well I'm German And Those That Drank And Didn't Like The Taste You Do Have Problems. I Loved The Taste Of Beer. The Smell Of It Can Still Make My Mouth Water. I've Tried The Rest Of Every Drink Known And In The End It Came Back To Loving The Taste Of Beer.
The Reason For This Post Was To Have A Honest Discussion Of Why We Drank. Any One Ever Drink To Be Social? I'd Never Drink When There Was No One Around Early In My Drinking.
Thre's Nothing To Stop Any Of Us From Drinking We Have Many Factors Entered In To Make Us Determined Not To Drink. I've Played The Tape Over In My Mind What, Getting Drunk Means Make No Mistake About That.
Why Go To A Bar Then? Who Went To A Bar To Drink?
The Reason For This Post Was To Have A Honest Discussion Of Why We Drank. Any One Ever Drink To Be Social? I'd Never Drink When There Was No One Around Early In My Drinking.
Thre's Nothing To Stop Any Of Us From Drinking We Have Many Factors Entered In To Make Us Determined Not To Drink. I've Played The Tape Over In My Mind What, Getting Drunk Means Make No Mistake About That.
Why Go To A Bar Then? Who Went To A Bar To Drink?
Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Boston
Posts: 710
Must be the mind then. Having had an O'Douls on occasion has not made me desire a real beer.
The first thought that came to my mind after reading the above was.....YET!
This disease is cunning, baffling, powerful and PATIENT. There is no way that I would play games with my sobriety by drinking "near beer", because this disease centers in the "mind".
If my mind ever starts to tell me that its ok to drink "near beer", then I am "thinking" with the mind of an alcoholic. When I am "thinking" with the mind of an alcoholic, then my spiritual condition is in major trouble. When my spiritual condition is in major trouble, I become anxious, irritable and discontent. When I become anxious, irritable and discontent, I become frustrated, angry and fearful. When I become frustrated, angry and fearful, I begin to blame people, places and things. When I begin to blame people, places and things, then I begin to fight for the right to do things "my way". When I begin to do things "my way" with the "mind of an alcoholic"...... then I DO what I do best with the mind of an alcoholic..... I drink.
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 1,432
Interesting article, and interesting responses.
"Doesn't there come a point where, we look in the mirror and just say I don't drink"? Yes, indeed.
I'm not sure how folks got from a drug that helps people who are trying to achieve abstinence reduce the dysphoria and relapse triggers...to O'Doul's! But I've always thought that stuff tasted awful anyway.
Here's some more information about Acamprosate.
-------------------
Why is this medication prescribed?
Acamprosate is used along with counseling and social support to help people who have stopped drinking large amounts of alcohol to avoid drinking alcohol again.
Drinking alcohol for a long time changes the way the brain works. Acamprosate works by helping the brains of people who have drunk large amounts of alcohol to work normally again.
Acamprosate does not prevent the withdrawal symptoms that people may experience when they stop drinking alcohol.
Acamprosate has not been shown to work in people who have not stopped drinking alcohol or in people who drink large amounts of alcohol and also overuse or abuse other substances such as street drugs or prescription medications.
Acamprosate will not cause you to have an unpleasant reaction if you drink alcohol during treatment.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...r/a604028.html
----------------
Comparing the three alcohol-abuse treatment drugs:
Antabuse: "Alcohol is broken down in a stepwise fashion by enzymes in the liver. Antabuse blocks one of these enzyme steps. This causes a build up of a compound called acetaldehyde. Antabuse has very few side effects as long as you do not drink alcohol. If people who take Antabuse drink, they will usually experience flushing, nausea, vomiting, thirst, heart palpitations, and low blood pressure. So, Antabuse does not alter cravings but it produces a rather nasty set of side effects if you drink.
Naltrexone, on the other hand, works to reduce cravings for alcohol. Naltrexone blocks special receptors in the brain called opiate receptors. ....Naltrexone blocks these receptors and reduces the craving for alcohol. Like Antabuse, naltrexone has very few side effects on its own. Because it blocks opiate receptors it does interact with narcotic pain relievers and reduces their effectiveness. Naltrexone can also produce withdrawal symptoms in people who are taking narcotic drugs for a long period of time. Unfortunately, naltrexone does not look like it works for everyone.
Acamprosate works by blocking yet another pathway in the brain and reduces the pleasure of drinking. The combination of naltrexone and acamprosate looks like it is better in reducing alcohol cravings and drinking relapse than either drug alone."
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH...89/381584.html
------------------
"Acamprosate works by stabilizing a brain chemical system called the glutamate system," explains Ray Anton, M.D., Distinguished Professor and director of the Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs at the Medical University of South Carolina.
"The glutamate system is one of the most strongly affected by chronic alcohol use," Dr. Anton said, adding: "Following the initiation of abstinence, it takes considerable time for the brain chemistry of this system to become `normal' again. It is thought that acamprosate helps speed this process so that the person has a greater chance of staying abstinent by not ‘turning to the bottle’ to feel normal. Acamprosate is well tolerated but needs to be taken a few times per day, unlike disulfiram and naltrexone, which can be taken once per day."
http://www.asam.org/news/FDA%20APPRO...ATE%202004.htm
--------------------
Acamprosate works by stimulating the production of the brain chemical, gaba. The irritability and dysphoria that often occurs in early recovery is partially the result of gaba depletion. Since one of the factors that contributes to alcohol relapse in early recovery is negative mood states, it is believed that acamprosate will reduce the severity of these relapse triggers and will contribute to achievement and maintenance of alcohol abstinence in the early weeks and months of recovery.
http://www.counselormagazine.com/pfv..._Treatment.asp
This article begins with an interesting editorial:
It may be impossible to believe today, but for decades, many professionals vehemently opposed the use of medications for the treatment of schizophrenia. They'd assert, 'You can't undo bad parenting with a pill.' ....
In many ways, the substance-abuse treatment field is where the schizophrenia field was 50 years ago. The understanding of alcoholism and addiction as diseases of the brain is rapidly gaining great acceptance.....
For many years, there was considerable resistance to the use of medications to help alcoholics through alcohol withdrawal. Some thought that if withdrawal were made too easy and comfortable, there would be no deterrent to returning to alcohol use.
However, in the past 50 years, this 'let them suffer, it's good for them' attitude has been deemed medically unsafe, ethically barbaric and grounds for malpractice. It is likely that as science continues to produce medications that have clearly demonstrated efficacy in reducing relapse to alcohol use, these medications will gain increasing application.
Don S
"Doesn't there come a point where, we look in the mirror and just say I don't drink"? Yes, indeed.
I'm not sure how folks got from a drug that helps people who are trying to achieve abstinence reduce the dysphoria and relapse triggers...to O'Doul's! But I've always thought that stuff tasted awful anyway.
Here's some more information about Acamprosate.
-------------------
Why is this medication prescribed?
Acamprosate is used along with counseling and social support to help people who have stopped drinking large amounts of alcohol to avoid drinking alcohol again.
Drinking alcohol for a long time changes the way the brain works. Acamprosate works by helping the brains of people who have drunk large amounts of alcohol to work normally again.
Acamprosate does not prevent the withdrawal symptoms that people may experience when they stop drinking alcohol.
Acamprosate has not been shown to work in people who have not stopped drinking alcohol or in people who drink large amounts of alcohol and also overuse or abuse other substances such as street drugs or prescription medications.
Acamprosate will not cause you to have an unpleasant reaction if you drink alcohol during treatment.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...r/a604028.html
----------------
Comparing the three alcohol-abuse treatment drugs:
Antabuse: "Alcohol is broken down in a stepwise fashion by enzymes in the liver. Antabuse blocks one of these enzyme steps. This causes a build up of a compound called acetaldehyde. Antabuse has very few side effects as long as you do not drink alcohol. If people who take Antabuse drink, they will usually experience flushing, nausea, vomiting, thirst, heart palpitations, and low blood pressure. So, Antabuse does not alter cravings but it produces a rather nasty set of side effects if you drink.
Naltrexone, on the other hand, works to reduce cravings for alcohol. Naltrexone blocks special receptors in the brain called opiate receptors. ....Naltrexone blocks these receptors and reduces the craving for alcohol. Like Antabuse, naltrexone has very few side effects on its own. Because it blocks opiate receptors it does interact with narcotic pain relievers and reduces their effectiveness. Naltrexone can also produce withdrawal symptoms in people who are taking narcotic drugs for a long period of time. Unfortunately, naltrexone does not look like it works for everyone.
Acamprosate works by blocking yet another pathway in the brain and reduces the pleasure of drinking. The combination of naltrexone and acamprosate looks like it is better in reducing alcohol cravings and drinking relapse than either drug alone."
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH...89/381584.html
------------------
"Acamprosate works by stabilizing a brain chemical system called the glutamate system," explains Ray Anton, M.D., Distinguished Professor and director of the Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs at the Medical University of South Carolina.
"The glutamate system is one of the most strongly affected by chronic alcohol use," Dr. Anton said, adding: "Following the initiation of abstinence, it takes considerable time for the brain chemistry of this system to become `normal' again. It is thought that acamprosate helps speed this process so that the person has a greater chance of staying abstinent by not ‘turning to the bottle’ to feel normal. Acamprosate is well tolerated but needs to be taken a few times per day, unlike disulfiram and naltrexone, which can be taken once per day."
http://www.asam.org/news/FDA%20APPRO...ATE%202004.htm
--------------------
Acamprosate works by stimulating the production of the brain chemical, gaba. The irritability and dysphoria that often occurs in early recovery is partially the result of gaba depletion. Since one of the factors that contributes to alcohol relapse in early recovery is negative mood states, it is believed that acamprosate will reduce the severity of these relapse triggers and will contribute to achievement and maintenance of alcohol abstinence in the early weeks and months of recovery.
http://www.counselormagazine.com/pfv..._Treatment.asp
This article begins with an interesting editorial:
It may be impossible to believe today, but for decades, many professionals vehemently opposed the use of medications for the treatment of schizophrenia. They'd assert, 'You can't undo bad parenting with a pill.' ....
In many ways, the substance-abuse treatment field is where the schizophrenia field was 50 years ago. The understanding of alcoholism and addiction as diseases of the brain is rapidly gaining great acceptance.....
For many years, there was considerable resistance to the use of medications to help alcoholics through alcohol withdrawal. Some thought that if withdrawal were made too easy and comfortable, there would be no deterrent to returning to alcohol use.
However, in the past 50 years, this 'let them suffer, it's good for them' attitude has been deemed medically unsafe, ethically barbaric and grounds for malpractice. It is likely that as science continues to produce medications that have clearly demonstrated efficacy in reducing relapse to alcohol use, these medications will gain increasing application.
Don S
1 bite&all resistance crumbles
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: IRELAND
Posts: 2,208
Very interesting thread.
I love the one Phinneas shared with us about what the alcoholic would say to one pill - imagine what two could do!!!
For me, I definitely sometimes went out just to get 'mellow'/'merry' - I really did like the idea of having two or three glasses of wine, getting 'tipsy' in front of the fire on a friday night with my husband...or with friends over lunch. In fact when I realised the horrors of me drunk, I never really ever wanted to get DRUNK - just in control tipsy/merry, etc.
HOWEVER! By the time that first glass was gone, my the paradigm shifted and 1,000 was never enough!!! I would drink ANYTHING if I ran out, and always made sure I had more of something, or drove drunk to get some more.
As always, HORRIFIED and APPALLED and ASHAMED at my behaviour the next morning.
Patsy, LOVE what you wrote! :
"I would have absolutely no interest in a "pill" for my alcoholism, because the pill may or may not make me physically sober, but that was never my problem in the first place, my problem was and is always ME and my thinking, my attitudes, my words and my actions. And there is no pill for that. LOL
EMOTIONAL SOBRIETY, can not be gotten by swallowing a pill in any form, it can only be gotten by changing the person that I brought through those doors of alcoholics anonymous....one step at a time, from the inside to the outside.
There is nothing that I can swallow, from the outside, to take care of the real problem the ISM'S on the inside
Recovery.....is an inside job "
AA has done this for me. Now, I don't drink. The first couple of weeks were boring, but now...well I think this might illustrate it well. Practically every night I wish it was already the next morning, cause I am so excited and interested about what the new day holds - ie when I go to sleep, I am really looking forward to the morning. This last happened to me when I was about 12 years old - feeling sleep was a hindrance to me living - just wnating to be awake and alive and experiencing things. I don't know if I've put this properly or not, but I'm so engaged with my life now and so excited about it that I look forward to every new day and can't wait to get up in the morning. ("Extravagant Promises!!" We think not...neither do I!)
Cathy31
x
I love the one Phinneas shared with us about what the alcoholic would say to one pill - imagine what two could do!!!
For me, I definitely sometimes went out just to get 'mellow'/'merry' - I really did like the idea of having two or three glasses of wine, getting 'tipsy' in front of the fire on a friday night with my husband...or with friends over lunch. In fact when I realised the horrors of me drunk, I never really ever wanted to get DRUNK - just in control tipsy/merry, etc.
HOWEVER! By the time that first glass was gone, my the paradigm shifted and 1,000 was never enough!!! I would drink ANYTHING if I ran out, and always made sure I had more of something, or drove drunk to get some more.
As always, HORRIFIED and APPALLED and ASHAMED at my behaviour the next morning.
Patsy, LOVE what you wrote! :
"I would have absolutely no interest in a "pill" for my alcoholism, because the pill may or may not make me physically sober, but that was never my problem in the first place, my problem was and is always ME and my thinking, my attitudes, my words and my actions. And there is no pill for that. LOL
EMOTIONAL SOBRIETY, can not be gotten by swallowing a pill in any form, it can only be gotten by changing the person that I brought through those doors of alcoholics anonymous....one step at a time, from the inside to the outside.
There is nothing that I can swallow, from the outside, to take care of the real problem the ISM'S on the inside
Recovery.....is an inside job "
AA has done this for me. Now, I don't drink. The first couple of weeks were boring, but now...well I think this might illustrate it well. Practically every night I wish it was already the next morning, cause I am so excited and interested about what the new day holds - ie when I go to sleep, I am really looking forward to the morning. This last happened to me when I was about 12 years old - feeling sleep was a hindrance to me living - just wnating to be awake and alive and experiencing things. I don't know if I've put this properly or not, but I'm so engaged with my life now and so excited about it that I look forward to every new day and can't wait to get up in the morning. ("Extravagant Promises!!" We think not...neither do I!)
Cathy31
x
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