What are /r/Alcoholism_Medication's favorite Products & Services?

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First time I took nal I felt zilch different.. First few weeks were arguably nothing but my imagination. It takes months man, but it really works but it takes time to retrain those neurons... they took years to get to where they were, it'll take a lot of repetition to condition them back out of that reward response cycle. Just like getting fit or any new habits, you don't workout one day and suddenly have big muscles ;)

I'd definitely keep an alcohol diary to track your progress, otherwise it's difficult to have any objective sense of it. Don't feel guilty about writing down all the drinks you're having, it's no problem as all as long as a) you took your pill and b) you're recording good data.

I use alcodroid, works very well for me, plots averages over months so I can really visualize my recovery to becoming an actual normal drinker. The habit of recording each drink also has the added benefit of turning you into a mindful drinker and not just downing them purely out of habit.

It's crazy, it used to take me an enormous amount of willpower to be able to stop after say two drinks.... and it would feel like someone just took a meal away from a starving man. These days I often just forget to have another drink after having two... it's amazing :). It took time though... patience and stay the course, we're playing the long game.

Hey man, sorry to hear you're having a rough go of things :( I didn't experience anything near the level you describe, but I had an incredibly odd and intense disassociative episode when I started NAL, so abandoned it and am presently trying sobriety again.

There are a number of other medications you can read more about here - though when I spoke to my doc about this, they said that NAL is the least horrible of the bunch, which is why I didn't want to do anything else. They all work very differently though.

Might be a silly question, but did you work up to your dosage or jump straight in?

Hopefully some of this helps.

Since I follow TSM (the Sinclaire method), though I was prescribed daily, I take it only before I know I'm going to drink (ideally an hour or two before, otherwise as soon as possible after). That's how I understand it is best effective. It doesn't decrease alcohol cravings by itself. It dulls the dopamine reward system when you take it in combination with drinking. Then that slowly (can takes months) but very effectively rewires your brain away from the addiction. It took years to get you here, it'll take time to get you back too. I had an alcohol-diary app for the first 6 months, and I noticed no change in alcohol consumed for approx 2 months, THEN it started to gradually decrease, along with my cravings.

Nal only lasts in your system a few hours so in my opinion it's fairly pointless to take it in the morning (for example) if you're going to be lashing into the cans in the evening. I don't take it regularly anymore since I don't drink daily anymore (thanks to nal). But I would always have them on me (I've a little pill holder on my keys with 2 or 3 in it), ready to take if I'm suddenly dragged for Friday afternoon beers or something.

It's not an alcohol specific drug. If you took it before your morning coffee and doing a bunch of coding, as I understand it you might begin slowly to find those activities less rewarding, hence the reason TSM has you target your dose. For me the coffee might be OK but I need to get my dopamine hit from work/coding, I gotta earn a living after-all.

Anyway I'm no biochemist or anything (just an engineer who's done some reading) so what I'm about to say isn't gospel: I do not think daily untargeted dosing is the optimum way to take this drug. They're not antibiotics and shouldn't be taken as such. If you happen to drink daily, and take it before you drink then it will have some effect, but you can get much more bang for your buck with TSM.

A somewhat reputable medical system in my region has a chemical dependency department. They require a three hour evaluation so that they can determine your level of care. They only describe themselves as trauma informed 12 step, no other modalities of treatment listed. One of my doctors recommended them. I've given him feedback that he recommended I see ass clowns.

I get naltrexone through my primary care doctor and therapy through another agency.

At least mayo clinic lists some modalities other than 12 step. https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/psychiatry/addiction-services/services/intensive-addiction-program

Looks like they are very oriented to inpatient though. I think in your situation I'd skip mayo and shop for a decent doc who is comfortable prescribing naltrexone.

Definitely tell the doctor at Web Doctors about other medications you are taking or are thinking about taking.

Follow up appointments are $49. For my second the doctor prescribed 2 months.

Also check out this book. (You can find it on Library Genesis)

Like you my intention is to use TSM to quit drinking altogether.

Therapy/rehab works for some, but for most it seems to be a revolving door that ends up in a series of relapses. The traditional detox/rehab/abstinence route has about a 10% success rate 5 years out and is generally quite expensive.

Here's a link to the book on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Cure-Alcoholism-Medically-Eliminate-Addiction/dp/1937856135/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Here's a website that has the content of the book, you can read it online:

https://www.the-sinclair-method.com/the-sinclair-method-guide/

I just found this key chain pill bottle at CVS. CVS Compact Pill Caddy - Keychain

It is tiny. I now have NAL with me at all times.

https://www.amazon.com/CVS-Compact-Pill-Caddy-Keychain/dp/B06X95DCMV

He was a professor so you might just find his research papers on that but there are other authors that write about it. https://www.amazon.com/Cure-Alcoholism-Medically-Eliminate-Addiction/dp/1937856135/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sinclair+method&qid=1610273285&sr=8-1

Thanks Katie!! Was looking for something new read... May as well read something healthy for once :)

If anyone else is interested, the book is available on Amazon for Kindle or as a paperback.

Those numbers are a little high but not terrible, IMO. I’m not a doctor, yada yada. You should consider adding something like this supplement https://www.amazon.com/TUDCA-1000mg-Tauroursodeoxycholic-Acid-Proprietary/dp/B08DN3TP64 in general, and follow TSM.

I believe the threshold value for bil and NAL is 3 and you’re only at .5.

In addition to One Little Pill the documentary -- The Cure for Alcoholism by Dr. Roy Eskapa is an incredible read.

https://www.amazon.com/Cure-Alcoholism-Medically-Eliminate-Addiction/dp/1937856135

You can read it free here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/60fs7gmvbyzs1kk/Cure%20for%20Alcoholism.pdf?dl=0

>I thought that working on my alcohol issue would improve the fighting in my relationship but it hasn't. ... it is what it is.

I'd like to gently push back on that. Don't resign yourself to being in a relationship that isn't meeting your needs and stings of conflict. Look into Emotionally Focused couples therapy -- it's actually evidence-based and it was very effective for me. If you just want to dip your toes in the water, check out the book Hold Me Tight: https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Me-Tight-Conversations-Lifetime/dp/1491513810 - it's written by the woman who created emotionally focused therapy.

In terms of your drinking:

>I just don't want to anymore.

Then don't. It's as simple as that. And if tomorrow you decide you do want to drink, take a NAL and have a TSM session.

Kudzu Root | 800mg | 100 Extract Capsules | Non-GMO and Gluten Free Formula | Traditional Herbal Supplement | by Carlyle https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08SGC73T2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BFCDG4S31S0SSHJ2XTES

I suggest adding TUDCA for liver support. I take this and it’s been very helpful — https://www.amazon.com/TUDCA-1000mg-Tauroursodeoxycholic-Acid-Proprietary/dp/B08DN3TP64/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=1XOWJESNUHJYL&keywords=tudca%2B&qid=1649892489&sprefix=tudca%2B%2Caps%2C308&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&smid=A1XN5L7NOK...

A great way to avoid this happening again is to get yourself a little keyfob because you are likely to always have your keys with you. Something like this works perfectly

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resistant-Keychain-Emergency-Colourful-Container/dp/B07QXLGPHB/

MegaFood Multi for Men - Men's Multivitamin for Optimal Health and Well-Being - With B Complex Vitamins - Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Dairy Free, Soy Free - 60 Tablets https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01CQ3DUO6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_6E1YZPPDXC085N8R0PNC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I couldn’t figure out how to find a doctor to prescribe baclofen but I sourced phenibut online and it’s molecular structure is as close to the same substance as you can get. So I tried it and I’m coming up on my 3rd yr after starting.

I used a similar dosing schedule as written in this book

https://www.amazon.com/End-My-Addiction-Himself-Alcoholism/dp/0749942207/ref=nodl_

I split my daily dose in to 3 equal parts and take it morning, lunch and before bed. It calmed my alcohol cravings in just a couple days and I’ve been able to successfully abstain since.

I realize it doesn’t work for everyone as everyone responds differently to all drugs. For me, it was like flipping a switch and now I can ignore alcohol and don’t ever think about it. Even being in social drinking settings, most anxiety is gone although I don’t like being out as much any more.

I just did some Googling and found this:

https://www.amazon.com/RXBC2011-Emergency-Medical-Information-Card/dp/B07Y1B1QVC/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=medical+alert+wallet+card&qid=1643931485&sr=8-6

Seems like it would catch a first-responder's eye.

Aside from your AUD, you need to reevaluate the situation with your family business. You’re clearly under immense work related stress due to the role you play and it’s not sustainable.

I’d suggest you start by reading the E Myth Revisited: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280/ref=nodl_

There’s this ginger people syrup I’ve found recently that helps with nausea (I’m a chronic nausea sufferer) Ginger People Ginger Syrup 8 Ounces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ILAW34/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_K4HAW6GF1C76NJNG7THM

Yes, that's probably a true statement; if we don't imagine consequences, we aren't motivated to change.

A for my memory... It's tricky. I just turned 50; my siblings are early 50s and mid 40s. I first became concerned about memory in my early 30s... such that I saw a neurologist and had a battery of tests. I tested well above average despite my concerns. With the benefit of hindsight and becoming aware of others' abilities, I realize that I had no idea that I had a completely remarkable memory in my youth, recalling details that no one remembered, and being shocked at how easily others forgot things. In my late 30s and 40s I think my memory more normalized to "average." Again, my benchmark is my siblings, parents, coworkers.

But the last 5 -7 years, what I would label full-blown AUD, my memory is of great concern to me. Especially working memory. I do hope to realize some improvements here. I haven't made any concerted training effort yet but I plan to.

There's tons of companies out there that are trying to steal your money, but arguably the best working memory trainer out there is free. It's called the Dual N-Back. But it takes discipline. About 3 sessions a day (adding up to about 15-20 minutes total).

Try one at http://brainscale.net/dual-n-back

https://www.amazon.com/NOW-GABA-500-200-Capsules/dp/B001DB6LPS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=YHLSO7LCZDFV&dchild=1&keywords=phenibut&qid=1632708529&sprefix=pheni&sr=8-3

Would this be something good too?

I saw the other comments about how you can keep them on your person. I just picked up this pill keeper keychain. This specific one is perfect for me. Its small, discreet and not obvious that it’s holding pills, just looks like a keychain Knick knack thing. I can fit 3 in here, and have this on my keys as a just in case/emergency situation. Could be a good thing to check out if you don’t want to carry around a bottle

VANSU Titanium Waterproof... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NSQG14S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Naltrexone is definitely not the only option for reducing or quitting alcohol. There are other medications. The most effective treatments still involve psychosocial therapy. I really want to implement some kind of contingency management but it's really hard to convince the government to fund a program to give people free stuff for improving their addiction. It's really effective though. :/ If you want another attempt It's best to do so in accordance with a trained psychotherapist. It seems that it's hard to find one that supports other goals then abstinence in America though. I was recently given a motivational interviewing workbook in english I really like. It's a bunch of exercises and none specific so it can be used for any goal.

Good job!

Keep an alcohol tracker app to track your drinks, I found it very helpful to keep mindful and actually graph my progress. I used this app.

It'll take time so don't worry if you see on some days/weeks your drinking goes up a little, just keep tracking and keep steadfast, it's the average and the long game.

I highly recommend starting with two every day for a week or two then go down to one. I feel like for some of us, we’re so lacking in the cultures we need to kinda jump start it. It helps my acid reflux so much, basically non existent. Same with any IBS stuff. here’s the link