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I quit drinking after more than 25 years of problematic drinking by taking naltrexone just before drinking for 3-4 weeks. Given my prior experience with alcohol

I quit drinking after more than 25 years of problematic drinking by taking naltrexone just before drinking for 3-4 weeks. Given my prior experience with alcohol and trying to quit, it was the easiest thing I've ever done. I urge people who have a problem with drinking and wish to quit, who for whatever reason do not feel that 12 step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous are right for them to find a doctor who is willing and able to prescribe naltrexone and have a serious discussion with them. Had I had access to it and known it was effective as it is I probably would have been able to stop drinking 20 years sooner than I did.

CodesInChaos 4y ago
Did you follow the Sinclair method, or was it some other approach that involves naltrexone?
- Quequau 4y ago
  Yes, I used the Sinclair method but there are multiple therapies which use naltrexone and I don't think the Sinclair method is obviously better than any other.
rjh29 4y ago
Seconded. It was insanely effective for me - from daily binges to zero. It is issued on the NHS in the UK, but they wait until you've relapsed a few times before prescribing it, which is maddening - it should be offered immediately IMO.
- DanBC 4y ago
  Here's the BNF page for naltrexone: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/naltrexone-hydrochloride/ https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/naltrexone-hydrochloride/ Here's the NICE guidance for alcohol use disorders: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg115/ifp/chapter/treatments-for-adults-who-misuse-alcohol https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg115/ifp/chapter/treatment... If someone's had a medical detox (which they'd get if they were drinking more than 30 units per day (in one litre of 40% ABV spirits there are 40 uk units) they should be offered naltrexone when they've done the detox. Frustratingly, if someone hasn't needed that they're offered psychological support first, and only get naltrexone if that doesn't work. If the patient knows they want naltrexone and clearly says "I'd like to try medication, can we talk about naltrexone?" then the doctor should consider prescribing it, but that requires patients to know about it and ask for it. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summaries/alcohol-dependence/ https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summaries/alcohol-dependen... "In harmful drinkers or patients with mild alcohol dependence, a psychological intervention (such as cognitive behavioural therapy) should be offered. In those who have not responded to psychological interventions alone or who have specifically requested a pharmacological treatment, acamprosate calcium or oral naltrexone hydrochloride can be used in combination with a psychological intervention."
dzhiurgis 4y ago
> taking naltrexone How does it work? Don't you know you wanna get high and stop taking it instead? It sounds like that "change your password to INeedToExcerciseMore" and you magically start loosing weight :|
- Quequau 4y ago
  The intoxication from drinking having taken naltrexone is profoundly different than just drinking alcohol alone but it does satisfy the urge to drink, until one day you're able to just walk away from drinking. I never really felt the urge to drink without it while I was using naltrexone. I still have an unfinished box of naltrexone which I kept because I was sure I would start drinking again and wanted to have it at hand. I just looked at it, it expired in 2013 and I've yet to use it at all since I quit drinking in '09 or '10 (I forget exactly, it's been a while).

CodesInChaos 4y ago

Did you follow the Sinclair method, or was it some other approach that involves naltrexone?

Quequau 4y ago
Yes, I used the Sinclair method but there are multiple therapies which use naltrexone and I don't think the Sinclair method is obviously better than any other.

rjh29 4y ago

Seconded. It was insanely effective for me - from daily binges to zero. It is issued on the NHS in the UK, but they wait until you've relapsed a few times before prescribing it, which is maddening - it should be offered immediately IMO.

DanBC 4y ago
Here's the BNF page for naltrexone: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/naltrexone-hydrochloride/ https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/naltrexone-hydrochloride/ Here's the NICE guidance for alcohol use disorders: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg115/ifp/chapter/treatments-for-adults-who-misuse-alcohol https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg115/ifp/chapter/treatment... If someone's had a medical detox (which they'd get if they were drinking more than 30 units per day (in one litre of 40% ABV spirits there are 40 uk units) they should be offered naltrexone when they've done the detox. Frustratingly, if someone hasn't needed that they're offered psychological support first, and only get naltrexone if that doesn't work. If the patient knows they want naltrexone and clearly says "I'd like to try medication, can we talk about naltrexone?" then the doctor should consider prescribing it, but that requires patients to know about it and ask for it. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summaries/alcohol-dependence/ https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summaries/alcohol-dependen... "In harmful drinkers or patients with mild alcohol dependence, a psychological intervention (such as cognitive behavioural therapy) should be offered. In those who have not responded to psychological interventions alone or who have specifically requested a pharmacological treatment, acamprosate calcium or oral naltrexone hydrochloride can be used in combination with a psychological intervention."

dzhiurgis 4y ago

> taking naltrexone How does it work? Don't you know you wanna get high and stop taking it instead? It sounds like that "change your password to INeedToExcerciseMore" and you magically start loosing weight :|

Quequau 4y ago
The intoxication from drinking having taken naltrexone is profoundly different than just drinking alcohol alone but it does satisfy the urge to drink, until one day you're able to just walk away from drinking. I never really felt the urge to drink without it while I was using naltrexone. I still have an unfinished box of naltrexone which I kept because I was sure I would start drinking again and wanted to have it at hand. I just looked at it, it expired in 2013 and I've yet to use it at all since I quit drinking in '09 or '10 (I forget exactly, it's been a while).