People in Moderation Management share experiences of naltrexone use

JJ: "I haven't over done it since I started taking naltrexone daily." - 6/28/2001 mm@maelstrom.stjohns.edu

For me naltrexone did not take away the desire to drink. I started on
the naltrexone I think in April. It made me very dizzy and tired so I cut
back and it took a good month to get to 50 mg.

However here is the positive part. I haven't over done it since I
started it and I do take it daily. Not one hangover or night of
over drinking since day one. I have actually tried and I just get
no buzz so get tired and give up. I think I have cut the drinking to
half or less of what was for me normal. I sleep great, all my
anxiety disorders, and I had a lot of them, seem to have
disappeared. My stomach problems are also gone. Now I don't know if
this is due to drinking less or the way the naltrexone is working
for me. I feel very positive about it. I should probably go to 100
mg but have stayed at 50 till I can get my insurance to approve
another doctor who will refill this script.

To recap: naltrexone does cut the buzz tremendously for me.
It does not completely end the cravings (old habits are really hard to
break). But I'm not sure if I am just doing what I am used to
without a lot of thought. I have been stressed during the day with
so many decisions that I naturally return to my usual way of
handling it regardless of the drug. The next plan is to work on how
to handle stresses minus alcohol.

Another MM'er wrote to JJ:

"Basically with naltrexone the edge never goes away even after a couple of
drinks. I hate this stuff, brings out the righteous bitch side of me
immediately instead of after a dry day.

I only took a quarter, hope it wears off soon. "

JJ replied:

"That has not been my experience at all. I love the stuff even though I am
still drinking. I drink much less, only get a very small initial buzz, wake
up clear headed and feeling oh so good. No over doing it or hangovers. I'm
loosing weight, anxiety has disappeared as have the dreaded stomach problems.

The Nal is doing exactly what I wanted it to do. Gives me hangover free
days and a clear head which I so desperately need right now to get through
this house stuff. The bonus was the anxiety relief. I haven't taken a
Zanax, Immodium, or sleep aide of any kind since I started this stuff. I
think that is about 6-8 weeks now. I know this drug can affect liver
problems but I gotta wonder what all that other stuff did. "