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TEB

(12,862 posts)
Sat Jan 19, 2019, 06:14 AM Jan 2019

Naltrexone for alcoholism

Last edited Sat Jan 19, 2019, 06:59 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.

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Naltrexone for alcoholism (Original Post) TEB Jan 2019 OP
good for you.... bobGandolf Jan 2019 #1
Thanks TEB Jan 2019 #3
Whatever works! bif Jan 2019 #17
Many roads to get there. safeinOhio Jan 2019 #2
Thank You TEB Jan 2019 #4
I also take it Freddie Jan 2019 #5
And you as well my friend TEB Jan 2019 #6
Awesome that it's working for you! mr_lebowski Jan 2019 #7
Whatever works, I'm glad you found it. mountain grammy Jan 2019 #8
I'm very happy for you TEB irisblue Jan 2019 #9
There is a long acting monthly injection Naltrexone RockCreek Jan 2019 #10
And the VA will give it to you too Victor_c3 Jan 2019 #13
Hang in there. You can do it. sinkingfeeling Jan 2019 #11
Just an FYI Victor_c3 Jan 2019 #12
So what does it do for the little woman in the boat? irisblue Jan 2019 #14
My guess is that it will increase sex drive. Victor_c3 Jan 2019 #15
I did a quick citation check... irisblue Jan 2019 #16
You fucking rock. stevil Feb 2019 #18

bobGandolf

(871 posts)
1. good for you....
Sat Jan 19, 2019, 06:40 AM
Jan 2019

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.

Freddie

(9,267 posts)
5. I also take it
Sat Jan 19, 2019, 07:06 AM
Jan 2019

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.

 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
7. Awesome that it's working for you!
Sat Jan 19, 2019, 07:33 AM
Jan 2019

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

(26,626 posts)
8. Whatever works, I'm glad you found it.
Sat Jan 19, 2019, 08:57 AM
Jan 2019

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.

RockCreek

(739 posts)
10. There is a long acting monthly injection Naltrexone
Sat Jan 19, 2019, 09:03 AM
Jan 2019

Called Vivitrol.
It is covered by some insurances.

Victor_c3

(3,557 posts)
12. Just an FYI
Sat Jan 19, 2019, 09:21 AM
Jan 2019

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...

Victor_c3

(3,557 posts)
15. My guess is that it will increase sex drive.
Sat Jan 19, 2019, 02:23 PM
Jan 2019

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

(32,982 posts)
16. I did a quick citation check...
Sat Jan 19, 2019, 02:31 PM
Jan 2019

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.

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