Effectivness of Antabuse

[Cassidy]

I went to a treatment center and it was not helpful for me because it preached a very narrow twelve step philosophy that I could not accept. I felt pretty hopeless but after another 6 months, I decided to try antabuse. For me, antabuse has worked better than any other method. For the last 3 months I have been relatively sober. However, there were 2 times when I stopped taking anatbuse for a few days in order to drink, but of course I ended up feeling horrible after drinking. Also though, I have tried to drink on antabuse a few times. It was not as big of a reaction as I would have imagined, but after 2 or 3 drinks, the symptoms I experienced were bad enough for me to stop (trouble breathing, turning very red, headache). I hear different people are more or less sensative. But, I would like to mention that the last time I drank on antabuse, I was shocked at how much I was able to drink. I think the reason for it was that I started off drinking slowly. After spreading 3 drinks over the course of two hours, I started drinking heavily, and strangely, my symptoms did not get that bad. My face looked very red but not much else. I drank 12-15 drinks that night. Doctors and the warning labels would tell you that I am lying and that I disposed of the anatabuse and didnt really take it, but I did take it that morning and the previous days. Aside from this strange incedent though, I have had better luck with antabuse than AA or treatment centers. As I said, excluding a few slip ups, I have been sober for 3 months and that has been a big accomplishment.

[zara]

I think that yow con read the post of emme because is interesting

[Victoria Anderson]

I Have been succesfully sober because of taking antabuse daily. Before Antabuse I had attended a 28 treatment center. This was a wonderful experience and I did remain clean and sober for 2 months. I 've had slips with alcohol after this and is why I turned to Antabuse for support. This month of sobriety has allowed my life to flourish; however I am curious to know will I feel the effects of Antabuse with one glass of wine after 4 days of not taking antabuse?

[Victoria Anderson]

If anyone has information please share the answer to this question. I have been off of antabuse for 4days and am curious to know if I am able to tolerate a single glass of beer or wine?

[lestat7601]

Victoria Anderson wrote:

If anyone has information please share the answer to this question. I have been off of antabuse for 4days and am curious to know if I am able to tolerate a single glass of beer or wine?

First of all, if you had that much of a problem, you will not stop with one glass. Don't lie to yourself. I speak from experience. Honesty is the first step towards sobriety. As for an answer to your question, it varies from person to person. They say that you can't build a tolerance to Antabuse, and although physiology says that is correct, I can skip one day now and be on my way to a buzz. Take the stupid pill! Every day. Being sober isn't easy. Hell, I still stumble, but I do know that when you stay sober for a while, perception clears. Then all those times that you thought were fun, just seem really stupid. One day I'll stop being stupid, and keep being sober. Keep fighting.

[Karen C101]

Don't take that first drink! I've been struggling for years now with alcohol and I know if I keep on, it will kill me eventually. Stay with the Antabuse! Don't give in.

[Sybill]

My dr prescribed Antabuse at my request as well as Naltraxone this morning. I am scared to take both of them but I do not know what else to do. Tried AA a few times but it did not really help and not believing in a "higher power' was a real issue; as soon as people would mention "God" I would immediately tune out and get annoyed as I have very strong opinions about this topic. I am concerned because my dr just wrote me the scripts and did not order any blood tests or anything and I just read on the internet that you should get them to test your liver- and I am pretty sure my liver is damaged because of how much I drink and for how long I've been doing it. If anyone is taking either of these I would greatly appreciate reading about their experiences and side effects.
Sybill

[Lexi R]

[Victoria-
My flyer that came with the medicine said that it could take up to 2 weeks to get it out of your system. I'm just not willing to take that chance. If your life has flourished, why would you want to drink again?

[daniela]

after 4 days of taking it. U wont feel anything. believe me. I drank the same day a took a lesser dose and the physical effects were annoying at the most. Im telling you this because after this happened, i drank again only because I felt cheated. All along I had been left to my own devices w a drug that I could actually drink through. Im telling u this because I wanted to know the truth too. However, If you are in such a good place now, just dont go there. Think that is the placebo effect of antabuse that has kept u sober and placebo is solely mental so u HAVE BEEN DOING IT ON YOUR OWN. Dont stop now...
now, if anyone has any advice for somebody who is drinking while on it, your words are very welcomed

[daniela]

after 4 days of taking it, U wont feel anything. believe me. I drank the same day a took a lesser dose than i usually took and the physical effects were annoying at the most. Im telling you this because after this happened, i drank again only because I felt cheated. All along I had been left to my own devices w a drug that I could actually drink through. Im telling u this because I wanted to know the truth too. However, If you are in such a good place now, just dont go there. Think that is the placebo effect of antabuse that has kept u sober and placebo is solely mental so u HAVE BEEN DOING IT ON YOUR OWN. Dont stop now...
now, if anyone has any advice for somebody who is drinking even while on it, your words are very welcomed

[Lori]

Daniela, you should be ashamed of yourself. Hundreds of thousands of people are finally recieving the help they need, and instead of heartfelt support you use propaganda. I am a very well educated medical professional who, unfortunately, let alcohol control me. Maybe you think that red flush on your face is no big deal, but that's the beginning of either circulatory collapse, or perhaps anaphylaxis. Either way, you'd need a ventilator or a grave. I worked trauma, and I've watched a family say good-bye to their 27 year old daughter because she did what you are doing. So keep playing russian roulette, or better yet save the money you use on your prescription and buy a pint on those of us that WANT help.

[Erin]

I started taking antabuse19 days ago after trying all sorts of things like AA. I went away on a business trip and "tested" it a few times-- got a really red face and heart pounding. Once I felt completely dizzy and had to sit down. the most alcohol I had at one time was probably not even a half a glass of beer. 2 nights ago back in nyc, i thought i could do this again. i had a half of glass of wine. my face started to feel red, and my heart was beating so hard i thought it might break. i had to lie down and then was very aware that i was probably going to pass out. i whispered to a friend what i was on in case i fainted or went unconscious. slowly, i started to feel a huge ache in my back and couldn't take the pain. during this, my vision was started to fail me and everything got more and more cloudy. my friends carried me to the bathroom in which i had the thought "i can't go on like this". after a few attempts, i as able to throw up. it was hot, hard and unstoppable. i had no control over my bottom and thought acid was spewing through my throat and mouth. after 10 minutes of this it slowed down. that is my lovely "test" of antabuse. no way it's happening again. i need to find out how to life like sober. if i can't do that, what really is life?

[Andrew]

I've been taking Antabuse for 12 days now...has worked so far. Still get urges, but it's basically because I have been an alcoholic for so long that I don't know what to do with my time other than drink. I come home from work and am so used to pouring a drink...find things to keep busy with is the hardest part. But I have not felt any side effects at all. I could forget I was even taking it until I get an urge to drink. But this is the longest I have been sober in 6 years, so I give it a thumbs up.

[Elyse]

To be honest i really think one glass of wine will turn out to be more than one.

[Elyse]

So i have been takin anrabuse for 4 days now. I asked to be perscribed to it.Spent 4-5 days a week at the bar.I found that my weekness is at nite when i usually get out of work and head up to the bar.mornings are great waking up with out a hangover, and thats when i take my pill....then i get out of work and wish i hadnt. Its driving me nutts..!will this ever end?

[Rob]

I am an alcoholic and you should not risk relapse.

[Rob]

Elyse wrote:

So i have been takin anrabuse for 4 days now. I asked to be perscribed to it.Spent 4-5 days a week at the bar.I found that my weekness is at nite when i usually get out of work and head up to the bar.mornings are great waking up with out a hangover, and thats when i take my pill....then i get out of work and wish i hadnt. Its driving me nutts..!will this ever end?

Please stay strong Elyse, I wish that I could.

[Elyse]

thanks for the support .
i went nutts tonight...i host euchre tournaments every sunday at a bar.....1st time back in a bar since i quit..im sure it will get easier i hope.

[miranda]

Erin wrote:

I started taking antabuse19 days ago after trying all sorts of things like AA. I went away on a business trip and "tested" it a few times-- got a really red face and heart pounding. Once I felt completely dizzy and had to sit down. the most alcohol I had at one time was probably not even a half a glass of beer. 2 nights ago back in nyc, i thought i could do this again. i had a half of glass of wine. my face started to feel red, and my heart was beating so hard i thought it might break. i had to lie down and then was very aware that i was probably going to pass out. i whispered to a friend what i was on in case i fainted or went unconscious. slowly, i started to feel a huge ache in my back and couldn't take the pain. during this, my vision was started to fail me and everything got more and more cloudy. my friends carried me to the bathroom in which i had the thought "i can't go on like this". after a few attempts, i as able to throw up. it was hot, hard and unstoppable. i had no control over my bottom and thought acid was spewing through my throat and mouth. after 10 minutes of this it slowed down. that is my lovely "test" of antabuse. no way it's happening again. i need to find out how to life like sober. if i can't do that, what really is life?

I can agree to your very last comment...I am researching antibuse as my mind is the only thing that keeps me going off the wagon...I have been in AA for over 10 years and I am obviously missing something...i too am not sure what to do anymore. I need a life that "normal" people have. I want the life that longtime AA people have...good luck to both of us!

[Encouraged]

Feel fine taking Antabuse but can't drink, makes me feel ill, I tried 4 oz. of 40 proof mixed half and half sip slow about half of the drink over 2 hours,stomach was upset with gas.I poured the rest of the mixed drink down the drain, the other four oz. sitting on the shelf as a sad reminder.