Alcoholism drugs can lend valuable support

Q. Now that Mel Gibson's alcohol problem is out in the open, perhaps there will be more discussion about treating alcoholism.

[Beth]

Yes, there should be more information about how to treat alcoholism. It is a very serious disease.
It is a disease because everyone who is addicted to
alcohol displays the same symptoms. Certain drugs
should be prohibited because they can be life-threatening, e.g., Lexapro. In my experience,
there is no drug cure for alcoholism.

[cas]

Beth wrote:

Yes, there should be more information about how to treat alcoholism. It is a very serious disease.
It is a disease because everyone who is addicted to
alcohol displays the same symptoms. Certain drugs
should be prohibited because they can be life-threatening, e.g., Lexapro. In my experience,
there is no drug cure for alcoholism.

It is true there is no drug at all. Keep in mind with all the diseases out there alcoholism has the best cure DON'T DRINK no treatments, no drugs to take just DON'T DRINK I'm 24 years sober funny how that works

[Encouraged]

Beth wrote:

Yes, there should be more information about how to treat alcoholism. It is a very serious disease.
It is a disease because everyone who is addicted to
alcohol displays the same symptoms. Certain drugs
should be prohibited because they can be life-threatening, e.g., Lexapro. In my experience,
there is no drug cure for alcoholism.

Courious what is it about Lexapro?

[Encouraged]

Courious Why Lexapro?

[Encouraged]

Beth,Lexapro why life threatening?

[Jason Young]

I have tried antabuse pills for 3-5 years..each time I fall off the medication and return to drinking binges. I have now been hospitalized twice. I heard there are antabuse injections I can get that last about 30 days. Anybody heard of this? I am 33 years old and my life is passing by. I need extreme help. Thanks.

[cas]

Jason Young wrote:

I have tried antabuse pills for 3-5 years..each time I fall off the medication and return to drinking binges. I have now been hospitalized twice. I heard there are antabuse injections I can get that last about 30 days. Anybody heard of this? I am 33 years old and my life is passing by. I need extreme help. Thanks.

I got clean at 28 yrs now 51 (as of yesterday) find a rehab, learn about alcohol, rehab works I started at 10yrs old. I got out of rehab did some AA. Learn about alcohol and it's affects on the body and find a support group

[Jason Young]

I have attended a liftime of classes and inpatient care but continue to fall back because I stop taking antabuse.

But if I can use injections, I would be less likely to fall back into my binges. Its easier to take a shot once a month rather than taking pills everyday.
Believe me, there is nothing I donot know about alcohol. The big problem is I am weak.

[David in England]

Sorry Jason but you know, as so too do I that AA is the only route but like you.

Pah! I'm here looking at Antabuse, thinking of buying it off the net!

Even though you have answered my questions, yes I can stop taking the pills and go on a binge aren't we all just answering to our own demons?

We know we are just looking for an easy way to keep life work together - I don't suppose we can 'arsed' to do as we know works, the AA programme, so we continue to 'suffer' SNAFU

We are all weak, lest we would not be having this discussion! Weakness is a fact, not an excuse.

[Jason Young]

Again, I ask the question....are there or are there not antabuse injections? Telling me about your experiences with AA is of no value. I have been in AA....nothing but smoked filled rooms, dirty coffee cups, and people who can't wait until the hour is up so they can leave. They are there because of a court order or because it was part of a plea bargining process.

[Micah]

There is no Antibuse injection, but there is Vivitrol. They actually created Vivitrol for Opiets, but found that opiets and alchohol affect the same Gaba receptors in your brain. So Vivitrol is available as a once a month injection with not much liver toxicity. It doesn't make you sick, but it blocks the receptors from being activated, therefore you could essesntially drink, but not get drunk. Would be like drinking o'douls.... hope that helps a little... google vivitrol to read more

[Denise]

Jason Young wrote:

Again, I ask the question....are there or are there not antabuse injections? Telling me about your experiences with AA is of no value. I have been in AA....nothing but smoked filled rooms, dirty coffee cups, and people who can't wait until the hour is up so they can leave. They are there because of a court order or because it was part of a plea bargining process.

Jason, My husband has struggled with alcohol addiction for 30 years recently he has been through a 6 week outpatient program, 2 30 day inpatient programs and an intensive care cardiac detox where he almost died. Nothing worked until Antabuse! I give it to him. He wants it that way. He doesn't trust himself to take it so he has asked for support (kinda like an AA sponsor). Is there anyone in your life that you can ask to be that suppot person? They would have to put the pill in your mouth and watch you swallow it. Brainstorm with your support person all the possibilities for faking taking the drug & makes sure you both go to the pharmacist to pick up the drug so your support person knows what the pills look like (in case you want to switch them with an asparin on a day you want to drink) include an alternate person for when that is necessary. Fill in all the blanks in the beginning so there is no way you are left to your own devices when your commitment isn't as strong. Give permission to your support person to be assertive and direct. You can do this it sounds like you want to and that is the first step. AA isn't for everyone (that's why the failure rate is so high) so if this is what works for you find a way to make it work!

[Veronica]

I'm active drinker and I'm desperate... Some time I wonder why can't I just stop..But them Why should I?... I just hear some of my good friends talking to each other about me saying I may have a drinking problem... That kind shock me.. But I do think I drink more them normal... I'm an artist I love to drink and paint my thoughts...I don't know.. I guess.. I'm hurt in a way I can't explain.. Or maybe I'm just going Crazy!... I'm 27 years old been drinking since I was 20.... I don't make any problem normally I get drunk at home alone... I never been in AA or any thing like that, But its been in my head ever since I heard my friends conversation.. What do you think?....

[DrunkenFool]

I recently started on Antabuse and knowing the side effects, I know I won't be drinking for two weeks after taking the last pill. My 40th birthday is in 27 days and I already had thoughts about stopping my meds so I could get sloppy drunk and enjoy my 40th. Guess what? I've been a sloppy drunk for 22 years (8030 max. birthday type celebrations.) I'd say 2/3rds of 8030 were in some sort of intoxication. I thought about this birthday thing as I lay in bed, stressing over evection, loss of job, loss of child, and loss of life.

So this morning after my shower I took my pill as usual.

I came here after googling "antabuse odouls" since I did have a six pack of Clausthaler last night with no side-effects, and have used mouthwash without symptoms of reaction.

If you take your pill it works, it's been more effective than anything I've done so far, including AA and a 90 day residental inpatient roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day.

My 2 cents.

[DEBBIE]

Encouraged wrote:

Beth,Lexapro why life threatening?

PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT LEXAPRO

[DEBBIE]

MY HUSBAND IS TAKING ANTIBUSE AND DRINKING
HE FEELS TERRIBLE BUT DOESN'T GET VIOLENTLY SICK
HE CRYS AND GETS DRUNK EASY OR HE'S LYING ABOUT
TAKING IT. ANY SUGGESTIONS

[Needing to deal with it]

I finally made the psychiatric appt after 30 years. I am hoping the doctor will presribe something just to get rid of the craving. I became alcholic after trying to stop bulimia. Guess what? I became both. ps-- I'm a successful professional with a superb family. On many levels, I'm so very appreciative and happy with life-- but these damn cravings!!!!

[Victoria]

Veronica wrote:

I'm active drinker and I'm desperate... Some time I wonder why can't I just stop..But them Why should I?... I just hear some of my good friends talking to each other about me saying I may have a drinking problem... That kind shock me.. But I do think I drink more them normal... I'm an artist I love to drink and paint my thoughts...I don't know.. I guess.. I'm hurt in a way I can't explain.. Or maybe I'm just going Crazy!... I'm 27 years old been drinking since I was 20.... I don't make any problem normally I get drunk at home alone... I never been in AA or any thing like that, But its been in my head ever since I heard my friends conversation.. What do you think?....

I am 27 years old and have also had a drinking problem since I was 20. Drinking started affecting my whole family, marriage and I became a completely different person. I was also scared that I would lose my 1 year old son. I needed help and decided to use antabuse. I am determined to get well and alcohol is not an option any more. I am my old self and I feel great and have no craving for alcohol. I have put my mind to it, and it helps to have a family that knows your problem and supports you.One bonus to quiting binge drinking is that I lost 7 kilograms.

[griff]

has anybody bought antabuse online and had a good outcome.

[Puma]

I'm 39 and have had a drinking problem since 18. about a year ago I quit..I have had a few painfull episodes and even the "I can drink socially now" falls. I know now that one drink is all it takes to start the cycle but I find myself craving when life is not going great. It's not even the chance of the cravings winning anymore because my willpower is strong enough not to let it...but I'm grumpy and short with my wife more than anything...a little with my daughter but not as much. Is antidepresents the answer...support group....does anyone have ideas?