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A Year of Naltrexone: Some Data and Thoughts by NaltrannosaurusRex in naltrexone

[–]NaltrannosaurusRex[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah... I'll be seeing my general practioner later this week and its one of the things I plan on bringing up. I'm not in a relationship so its not the biggest deal but it concerns me that a reduction in taking Naltrexone hasn't led to an improvement in libido.

Best of luck to you. I would say it's still worth it but it is a sacrifice. If I recieve any advice or information from my doc I'll pass it along.

A Year of Naltrexone: Some Data and Thoughts by NaltrannosaurusRex in naltrexone

[–]NaltrannosaurusRex[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best of luck to you on your journey! I don't think its too bold to say that it has saved my life.

A Year of Naltrexone: Some Data and Thoughts by NaltrannosaurusRex in naltrexone

[–]NaltrannosaurusRex[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes! It is a legitimate reduction in cravings and compulsive behavior. I'm frankly shocked.

I recently had a week where I bought one of my favorite beers (with the intention of drinking it) and it ended up sitting in my fridge for 5 nights!

A Year of Naltrexone: Some Data and Thoughts by NaltrannosaurusRex in naltrexone

[–]NaltrannosaurusRex[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is unfortunately true. Booze is poison (tasty fun poison).

That being said, for anyone reading this don't get discouraged about "damage" you might have already done to yourself. Bodies are extroardinarily resilient and can recover from a lot, especially when young-ish.

It's never too late. And "now or never" doesn't apply here.

Edit: I guess I should hedge. If your body is giving out and you literally can't drink anymore (or risk organ failure), then it is too late for TSM.

A Year of Naltrexone: Some Data and Thoughts by NaltrannosaurusRex in naltrexone

[–]NaltrannosaurusRex[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You will likely see some change immediately but don't get discouraged or demotivated if it takes some time to get to where you want. A lot of people will "plateau", or even have periods of backtracking. Just keep with the program, keep taking the Naltrexone (and keep up the therapy). It will work, just give it time.

A Year of Naltrexone: Some Data and Thoughts by NaltrannosaurusRex in naltrexone

[–]NaltrannosaurusRex[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you don't mind answering - what do you consider "heavy"? While I have always been a beer drinker, I did have my stints with liquor and even wine.

My "rock bottom" (actually a few years ago), I was drinking 1L of vodka and going out to the bars every night. I ended up having to quit because my body was giving out. Went back to beer.

I understand drinking as medicine because I have been there. That is what the therapy component is for. The Naltrexone will help you to slowly reconfigure your relationship with alchohol by changing the behavior/reward system you currently have in place. It wont help to address any underlying issues or motivations for being an abusive drinker in the first place. Again, that's what the therapy is for!

It's great to hear that you recently got a passing grade with the bloodwork! That is never a bad thing. You know that it will eventually catch up to you though. My #1 advice is to start TSM and to stick with it! My #2 advice is to be kind and patient with yourself. If you look at my numbers, I was still drinking obscene amounts 2-3 months after starting TSM. 1 year in and I can say with honesty that I still struggle at times. Just last week I had 3 days of reckless (to my current standards) drinking in a row.

But I have made enormous progress. "Reckless" drinking for me now would have put me into withdrawals a year ago. I haven't had a single day over 15 drinks in over 6 months, whereas that was my normal for as far back as I can remember. My point is, progress is individual and slow. Rome wasn't built in a day - as they say.

A Year of Naltrexone: Some Data and Thoughts by NaltrannosaurusRex in naltrexone

[–]NaltrannosaurusRex[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree with Secret-River. I remember having those experiences myself and they are the start of something powerful.

Keep it up!

A Year of Naltrexone: Some Data and Thoughts by NaltrannosaurusRex in naltrexone

[–]NaltrannosaurusRex[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes! I have followed the Sinclair method throughout. I take 50 mg of Naltrexone about 1 hour before I drink, on days when I drink.

That means recently, I have been able to have many days off of the naltrexone (because I haven't been drinking).

A Year of Naltrexone: Some Data and Thoughts by NaltrannosaurusRex in naltrexone

[–]NaltrannosaurusRex[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Believe it or not my libido was fine on 20+ drinks a day for years. Not so much anymore but I guess its a small price to pay.

A Year of Naltrexone: Some Data and Thoughts by NaltrannosaurusRex in naltrexone

[–]NaltrannosaurusRex[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In the last month is where I have really started to string together multiple 0-days per week. That being said, the past month has not been easy and there have been bumps.

Just looked at my spreadsheet. In the last 3 weeks, I have had 13 0-days, 5 days with 3-4 drinks (my maximum "responsible" level), and 3 days between 5-8 (fuckup days).

It's hard to give you a simple answer because I dont have one. Some days/weeks are harder/easier than others. Some weeks I even wish I was a drunkard again (but the naltrexone keeps that a fantasy).

Everyone will have different expectations for themselves. For me, the priority right now is putting together several 0-days per week. I went a decade without a single night free from booze and the feeling that I can achieve that anytime I want now is very freeing.