Effectivness of Antabuse

[Jeannie]

How did it go? I totally relate!!!

Angelina wrote:

My husband starts taking Antabuse tomorrow. He recently started therapy, alcohol counseling and AA. We switched from his Dr. to mine because his was more like a prescription drug dealer.
He's beginning the Antabuse because I want him to. I want his treatment to be successful, but I also have selfish reasons for wanting him to take it. If, or when, he slips up again, I want him to feel pain. I feel awful for saying that! I love my husband. But it's true. I feel like I'm the only one who feels pain when he drinks. He often doesn't even recall the terrible things he does drunk. The kids and I remember. We feel the pain.( I should note that he has never physically abused the kids.)
He's not opposed to taking it, but I feel guilty for wanting him to hurt. I'm encouraged by many of the comments from people who take it. I guess I just needed to get that out.
To the person who wants to try a glass of wine after all this time...everything I've read and researched tells me that you won't stop at one. I can't say I know how you feel; I don't, but as the family member of an alcoholic, I can tell you it will hurt those who care for you. If you want it that bad knowing how bad it is for you, that has to tell you that it's a problem. Just think about it.

[Jeannie]

Would love to know how effective it is when the alcoholic isn't the one wanting to take it and the spouse is pushing it. I'm in that boat-day 4

[caterer]

Dear Barb:

I was away a bit. I can certainly understand your frustration. For a state like NY to be in so much trouble makes no sense. I do hope that you can find a solution. I will continue to pray.

[NC and proud]

My husband wants to quit smoking and says it's impossible without quitting drinking. He chose to use antabuse. He really just wants the assurance that it won't be a temptation when his drinking buddies come knocking. He got the prescription, but the side effects made me nervous so I swapped the pills for vitamin B6. I know he won't drink if he thinks he's on Antabuse, so I figure I'm doing him a favor. I hate deceiving him though- is it unethical?

[Barb]

Let me say to the ones that want to deceive their spouses , your are really Bad , you want to help them , Don't give them something Else , That is so stupid , you are only hurting yourself !!! My first marriage myy husband of 18 years wasdrunk almost every day , I put up with it until he pulled a shotgun on me , that was it !I went thur a depressing time in my life , and that why I started drinking , I wouldn't think of drinking 2-3 pints of vod. per day , and atabuse is the only medicine that Will help , but u have to take it EVERY DAY !!!!!!!!!!

[caterer]

I will add to Barb's comments this thought:

Here's a side effect for you: your husband is on a placebo, sneaks a drink to see what effect it has. It has none. He stops for a few days, and in the meantime he takes an actual antabuse. Then he decides to drink again, his blood pressure shoots up, and he dies.

I cannot conceive of what side effects would concern anyone. That you get pimples? That it has a less than 5% chance of affecting your liver?

Consider these side effects: cirhosis of the liver, diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure. These are the GUARANTEED side effects of alcohol. Oh, yeah, getting fired and bloody car crashes.

And why worry about the side effects of a good drug until they show up? I have a great HBP medecine that randomly makes me dizzy. So??

You can't read all the side effects, worry that you might get one, and then not take the drug. EVERYTHING in life has side effects, and you can't skip them. It's like the young lady renting a room upstairs concerned about mice in a 100 year old wooden house: no cats, no electronic repellents, no nothing, but just make sure no mice get in. Ummm, could I use a solution that actually solves something? Not according to her. She doesn't like the side effects.

So the answer is a great big "no"--do not play with this and hope it works.

[stevethescot]

Thanks for all the information guys. I thought I was in control of my drinking but I was obviously in denial. Over the oast year I have had three seizures breaking my jaw twice and receiving 8 staples in my head. Have tried librium several times and only managed to stay sober for a month at most each time. Im definitely going to to give it a go and get my life back before the demon drink kills me. No way i want to die at 30.

[homedeeth]

that's a good positvie attitude steve. i have failed miserably coming off the antbuse with big relapses. last weekend being different. i too don't want to die early so i'm going back on the tablets!

[Barb]

Has anyone gotten money help for the drug Antabuse ? I even call the Barr Company that makes it, Ha ! no help ! I just paid $125.00 for a month of pills !! I want to stay clean and not drink , why can't they help ???????? So confussed !

[Jackie]

Hi all

Not been on the site for a while
I am still doing very well
It has been very positavie thing to read all the post and i hope you all suceed in your journeys
Glad to have you back on board homedeeth.
My brother is also doing very well at the moment
Take care all of you, you all derserve to live clean happy and healthy lives

[MayDay]

Hi all,
GOod to hear from you JAckie. My partner is back in the home and is 6 months sober, has had a steady job for 3 months. He stopped this time and stays sober becaues I think he finally wanted sobriety and needed sobriety more than I needed him sober. He has previously drank on the antabuse. I actually saw him projectile vomit once... IT was lovely!!!. Anyway, sorry for the bad news, but if they take it for you it probably won't work.

[Jackie]

Hi Mayday
Well that was the best news i have herd for a long time.
Well done to your partner and you for being so strong and for you taking the time to share with all of us the down side of being a partner.
Take care all

[Susan]

Barb wrote:

Has anyone gotten money help for the drug Antabuse ? I even call the Barr Company that makes it, Ha ! no help ! I just paid $125.00 for a month of pills !! I want to stay clean and not drink , why can't they help ???????? So confussed !

I've ordered Antabuse here offersplace.net/item.php... for last few months, they sell very affordable medications. Absolutely trouble-free OTC pharmacy.

[Barb]

Thanks Susan ! I will give it a try !

[jackie]

Hi all

Just a quick note to say hello
hello
Been finding it hard to sleep just lately dont know why
I think it is the presure of xmas coming around busy time of year etc
Still doing well on antabuse but still cannot find any life cover any ideas?
Speak soon
Hope all of you are safe and well

[rebecca]

i have been taking antabuse for awhile now and my skin smells like garlic .can anyone out there please tell me what to do. i have tried powders,perfumes and everything. i am waterlogged from so many baths.

[Barb]

Rebecca : This could be from a imbalance in your body chemistry , I would check with your Dr. and maybe have a blood test done .

[homedeeth]

Hi Jackie, i am trouble sleeping too. i used to love going to bed but now i don't. my sleeps is broken frequently and i feel completely run down. on a lighter note, i've got my antabuse appointment on the 3rd dec. wa-hey! looking forward to it (again)
take care

[jackie]

Hi Homedeeth
Grate to hear from you
Make sure you keep that appointment mate
My brother is doing very well too and is back on antabuse.
Im sleeping better now just had to ride it out but now im waking up to bloody early carn't win (lol)
Been a bit flat this week board of my own company sad old house wife this week.
Gave myself a good slap and bin feeling a bit better.
I think its the dark nights cos i carn't get in my garden and its always raining. lol
Anyway speak soon and you take carexx

[homedeeth]

Hello Jackie,
I will keep that appointment i promise! I think i might have done my insides some damage this time so i have to go!
I've got sod all growing on my allotment apart from Massivus Weedicus, Weedicus Lots-of-us and more weeds!:) Lost the motivation to get stuck in but hopefully with new energy i will start up again. It's my own fault and i get jealous of next doors plot because there's all sorts growing!
ANyway, good news about your bro.
Take care
Mike