Naltrexone

Is this a good way to go after almost 30 days of being sober? I have cravings and I was thinking about talking to my PCP about it. Can he even prescribe it?

[mom2rachie]

Why not try NA or AA for the cravings?  We often run to medication too quicky.  Sometimes there are no quick fixes.  You have to right what's wrong with yourself before you can truly heal.  Putting a band aid on it with another medication doesn't make much sense to me, but that's just my opinion so please don't take offense.  
There are other ways to heal the mind and the spirit.  Please consider it.  It's saved many a person from going back out.
God bless.  

[bettie1976]

im already doing that 3 times a week plus therapy once a week. plus a sponsor meeting once a week....

[mom2rachie]

It doesn't happen overnight.  Remember it's progress not perfection.  Keep at it.  It will come to you if you work for it.  It's only been 30 days.  SOmetimes it can take a year or more.  I know it'snot what you want to hear because as addicts we want what we want when we want it but don't quit 10 minutes before the miracle happens and evrey time you share you'r helping someone hwo has 1 day or 2 days.    

Here are the Promises:

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through.

We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.

We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.

We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.

No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.

That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.

We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.

Self-seeking will slip away.

Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.

We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.

We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.



Are these extravagant promises? We think not.

They are being fulfilled among us - sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.

They will always materialize if we work for them.

[bettie1976]

im aware of all that. I was sober for a year and a half in 2002 and started feeling good. I know it doesnt happen overnight, I just dont want to give into my cravings.

[BonnieAnn]

Funny you should ask about Nalrexone/Naloxone.  Go down a few posts and read this one:

from: chicjy3884
to: Fladdict

She talks all about it. There are no coincidences.............

I looked it up after I read the post..very interesting.

Good luck hun!!!!

[mom2rachie]

"I just dont want to give into my cravings."

Then don't........ but ultimately it's your choice.  What happened that caused you to use again.  Have you looked at that.  Maybe if you fix that aspect of your life you won't fall back once again and you will have tue sobriety rathr than accumulated clean time..

I wish you luck.

[BonnieAnn]

Who gave in to their cravings? Did I read something wrong? I must be tired. Sorry. I thought she said that she "had" cravings. Tell the truth, I have been meaning to have an eye exam. It has been 26 months since my last one and my doct suggested that I do that, so don't mind me.

Nite all!

[mom2rachie]

Bonnie, she said she was sober for a year and a half in 2002 and since she's not now I was adressing that.
You'r not having eye problems.

[bettie1976]

I AM sober now. 30 days tomorrow.

[mom2rachie]

Ok, I understand.  You're obsessing over picking up (using) just because you have crvings.  We all get cravings until the obsession is lifted.  Why did you replapse last time and why are you so afriad of relapsing this time if you're doing all the right things?
They are really just rhetorical questions.  When I got sober from alcohol and ilegal drugs 5 years ago I never tought about taking another drug to fight the cravings but if you feel that is what you need, then God bless and good luck.

[bettie1976]

im not obsessing really, just concerned and dont wanna F up again. I relapsed last time because it was a week before my birthday and i said F it, lets go get drunk. (with someone I met at an AA meeting no less) and then he had 2 vicodins and then I was ok for sometime but then i got involved with a guy (jerk) who knew my weakness and would give me pills for sex. He is no longer part of my life.

[bettie1976]

I am doing the right things but the anxiety this time around is KILLING me and I didnt have that last time because I was on zoloft. I just started zoloft 5 or 6 days ago so hopefully itll work its magic like it did before.

[mom2rachie]

I think you CAN do it.  That ******* is already ot of your life, you're (hopefully) surrounding yourself with people who care, especially here.
I would believe a little more in YOU before I went to another drug that one day you will have to face getting off of.
You;re clean now, relish in it!!!  You ARE doing it.  When you have a craving post here, call someone, journal and you will see that it goes as fast as it comes if it'snot an obsession.
I believe in you, you should too.  You';re too young to get hooked on another medication.  WHo knows what the furture holds for you.  You might have a baby or need to take another med that doesn't interract well with this one.  Why do that when you're doing IT now?    

[tiffanylove90]

different things work for different people one person may be able to controll craving in any given situation while another may not you have to do what is right for you and what is gonna keep you on the right path i my self am not against it if thats what you feel you need to do to save yourself

[bettie1976]

this is what I got off the net from looking up the drug: it says it is not addictive and very productive in helping with relapse. Its not the same as sub. I already did the sub for 5 days in detox.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Naltrexone Treatment for Alcoholism *
1. What is naltrexone?

Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the effects of drugs known as opioids (a class that includes morphine, heroin or codeine). It competes with these drugs for opioid receptors in the brain. It was originally used to treat dependence on opioid drugs but has recently been approved by the FDA as treatment for alcoholism. In clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of naltrexone, patients who received naltrexone were twice as successful in remaining abstinent and in avoiding relapse as patients who received placebo-an inactive pill.

2. Why does naltrexone help for alcoholism?

While the precise mechanism of action for naltrexone's effect is unknown, reports from successfully treated patients suggest three kinds of effects. First, naltrexone can reduce craving, which is the urge or desire to drink. Second, naltrexone helps patients remain abstinent. Third, naltrexone can interfere with the tendency to want to drink more if a recovering patient slips and has a drink.

3. Does this mean that naltrexone will "sober me up" if I drink?

No, naltrexone does not reduce the effects of alcohol that impair coordination and judgement.

4. If I take naltrexone, does it mean that I don't need other treatment for alcoholism?

No, naltrexone is only one component of a program of treatment for alcoholism including counseling, help with associated psychological and social problems and participation in self-help groups. In both studies where naltrexone was shown to be effective, it was combined with treatment from professional psychotherapists.

5. How long does naltrexone take to work?

Naltrexone's effects on blocking opioids occurs shortly after taking the first dose. Findings to date suggest that the effects of naltrexone in helping patients remain abstinent and avoid relapse to alcohol use also occur early.

6. Are there some people who should not take naltrexone?

Naltrexone should not be used with pregnant women, individuals with severe liver or kidney damage or with patients who cannot achieve abstinence for at least 5 days prior to initiating medications. Also, people who are dependent on opioid drugs, like heroin or morphine must stop their drug use at least 7 days prior to starting naltrexone.

7. What does it feel like to be on naltrexone?

Aside from side effects, which are usually short-lived and mild, patients usually report that they are largely unaware of being on medications. Naltrexone usually has no psychological effects and patients don't feel either "high" or "down" while they are on naltrexone. It is not addicting. While it does seem to reduce alcohol craving, it does not interfere with the experience of other types of pleasure.

8. What are the side effects of naltrexone?

In the largest study, the most common side effect of naltrexone affected only a small minority of people and included the following: nausea (10%), headache (7%), dizziness (4%), fatigue (4%), insomnia (3%), anxiety (2%), and sleepiness (2%). These side effects were usually mild and of short duration. As treatment for alcoholism, naltrexone side effects, predominantly nausea, have been se vere enough to discontinue the medication in 5-10% of the patients starting it. For most other patients side effects are mild or of brief duration. One serious possibility is that naltrexone can have toxic effects on the liver. Blood tests of liver function are performed prior to the onset of treatment and periodically during treatment to determine whether naltrexone should be started and whether it should be discontinued if the relatively rare side effect of liver toxicity is taking place.

9. Do I need to get blood tests while I'm on naltrexone? How often?

To ensure that naltrexone treatment is safe, blood tests should be obtained prior to initial treatment. Following that, retesting generally occurs at monthly intervals for the first three months, with less frequent testing after that point. More frequent testing may be requested depending on the health of your liver prior to beginning treatment. Blood tests are needed to make sure that liver function is adequate prior to taking naltrexone and to evaluate whether naltrexone is having adverse effects on the liver.

10. Can I take other medications with naltrexone?

The major active effect of naltrexone is on opioid drugs, which is one class of drugs used primarily to treat pain but is also found in some prescription cough preparations. Naltrexone will block the effect of normal doses of this type of drug. There are many non-narcotic pain relievers that can be used effectively while you are on naltrexone. Otherwise, naltrexone is likely to have little impact on other medications patients commonly use such as antibiotics, non-opioid analgesics (e.g., aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen), and allergy medications. You should inform your physician of whatever medication you are currently taking so that possible interactions can be evaluated. Because naltrexone is broken down by the liver, other medications that can affect liver function may affect the dose of naltrexone.

11. Will I get sick If I drink while on naltrexone?

No. Naltrexone may reduce the feeling of intoxication and the desire to drink more, but it will not cause a severe physical response to drinking.

12. Will I get sick If I stop naltrexone suddenly?

Naltrexone does not cause physical dependence and it can be stopped at any time without withdrawal symptoms. In addition, available findings regarding cessation do not show a "rebound" effect to resume alcohol use when naltrexone is discontinued.

13. What should I do If I need an operation or pain medication?

You should carry a card explaining that you are on naltrexone and that also instructs physicians on pain management. Many pain medications that are not opioids are available for use. If you are going to have elective surgery, naltrexone should be discontinued at least 72 hours beforehand.

14. What Is the relationship of naltrexone to AA?

There is no contradiction between participation in AA and taking naltrexone. Naltrexone is not addictive and does not produce any "high" or pleasant effects. It can contribute to achievement of an abstinence goal by reducing the craving or compulsion to drink, particularly during early phases of recovery. It is most likely to be effective when the patient's goal is to stop drinking altogether.

15. How long should I stay on naltrexone?

If naltrexone is tolerated and the patient is successful in reducing or stopping drinking, the recommended initial course of treatment is 3 months. At that time the patient and clinical staff should evaluate the need for further treatment on the basis of degree of improvement, degree of continued concerns about relapse and level of improvement in areas of functioning other than alcohol use.

[mom2rachie]

A lot of that I didn't know. Maybe if some people I know that have struggled severly inthe past could have taken that, they would have remained clean.
If yu choose to go that path, keep us updated and as always God bless and good luck!!

[bettie1976]

oops. hit the wrong button.....So from the reading about this drug I think it seems like a good thing.

[tommy47]

Good info but can you refer me to any research which shows Naltrexone to work with abstaining alcoholics.

[Milo0312]

Can Naltrexone be abused like Suboxone can?  I don't want to start abusing medications - I want to be drug addition free.

[chief210]

i just started using naltrexone having real bad anxiety attacks and feeling lousy.It only happens when i go to bed is anyone else having these problems there pretty bad.Will they stop i am nervous about continuing.Thank for your in put

[wroutes]

I experienced anxiety, fatigue and other mild effects from naltrexone for a couple of weeks. Now after 6 weeks I don't notice any significant side effects, maybe a slight libido problem, but not sure it is Nal.  I also believe it helps with cravings for drugs and alcohol for me.