Naltrexone for alcoholism

[TEB]

Last edited Sat Jan 19, 2019, 05:59 AM - Edit history (1)

No bragging five months eating this pill daily for my disease. One bender maybe three weeks into it, my doctor asked yesterday do you think your ready to give it a try without it I said no. Monthly blood test my liver function is cool I guess they have to check it on this medicine. In my job as union teamster I work nights maybe 12 hours on a turn and AA meetings never worked for me.

What works is this naltrexone or revia it says on bottle. I do not know how it works let me say this twice this week I thought about stopping to have a few but I went straight home I wasn’t obsessing thinking about beer. I told doc let’s just keep on this medicine it works I have peace. So I’m putting this out in case it may help others who suffer.

[bobGandolf]

1. good for you....

Do not pay attention to others, especially those who try to make it seem that you are less of a person because you needed NALTREXONE. Pay no attention to those who put you down for taking Naltrexone. If it helps you stay sober, that is all that matters.

[TEB]

3. Thanks

I could care what others think always been that way but it works

[bif]

17. Whatever works!

Good for you!

[safeinOhio]

2. Many roads to get there.

Best wishes.

[TEB]

4. Thank You

[Freddie]

5. I also take it

Off label for weight loss. It helps with any kind of craving. It’s part of the drug Contrave, which is part Naltrexone and part bupropion (an antidepressant). Since I take bupropion anyway for mild depression, my wonderful family doc prescribed half a Naltrexone daily to see if it would help. (Also I know Aetna would not pay for Contrave but they’ve never questioned the Naltrexone, a cheap generic.) Lost almost 10 lb this past fall, slipped a bit over the holidays but I’m back to a Weight Watchers-style diet that works for me. It’s been helping me a lot to stop thinking about food.
Best of luck in your recovery.

[TEB]

6. And you as well my friend

[mr_lebowski]

7. Awesome that it's working for you!

It's chemically quite similar to Naloxone, the opioid OD drug, and is fact also used to treat opioid addiction (once the patient is off the dope). That was it's first use in this sort of capacity TTBOMK. It blocks the body from being able to get high on opioids by occupying your opioid receptors, but it doesn't get you high itself. Basically it's got a very high binding/affinity for the receptor, but no stimulatory effect upon them.

They've branched out into trying it for other types of addiction treatment, some more successful than others. Alcoholism it doesn't have a high rate of success, but does show some efficacy IIRC that was the last I read on it, some time back. I think the reason it does work a bit for alcoholism is that the high from booze works on some similar pathways to opioids. I suspect if you tried to get drunk it would not be as pleasant as you remembered while you're on naltrexone.

Chantix works in a similar way for smoking, basically occupies receptors that nicotine does, which decreases the pleasure one gets from nicotine, so over time it easier to decide ... I don't wanna smoke anymore cause it gives me no pleasure/satisfaction.

[mountain grammy]

8. Whatever works, I'm glad you found it.

I have had to reschool myself about using drugs to combat drug addiction. Suboxone got my kid off heroin and I learned some lessons. There should be free clinics, counselors and medicine available to all who seek help to end their addiction.

[irisblue]

9. I'm very happy for you TEB

[RockCreek]

10. There is a long acting monthly injection Naltrexone

Called Vivitrol.
It is covered by some insurances.

[Victor_c3]

13. And the VA will give it to you too

Well, but you have to be a service connected disabled veteran

[sinkingfeeling]

11. Hang in there. You can do it.

[Victor_c3]

12. Just an FYI

Naltrexone also has been shown to have a positive impact on a person’s ability to get an erection. You’re “little buddy” down there works better while you’re on the medication.

Just another reason to take it...

[irisblue]

14. So what does it do for the little woman in the boat?

[Victor_c3]

15. My guess is that it will increase sex drive.

Naltrexone indirectly impacts the secretion of a luteinizing hormone - which in turn causes the body to increase testosterone production. In women, increased testosterone levels are linked to increased sex drive.



I read way too much for my own good.

[irisblue]

16. I did a quick citation check...

And the first article was self reported pud pulling in 20-29 yr old men. I didn't find true research about female response. I would also imagine that some researcher, some day will realize missed research opportunity regarding increased lubrication as physical manifestation.

[stevil]

18. You fucking rock.

All help is welcome.