Anyone on or starting a naltrexone journey?

[ohthejoysoftoddler]

I'm hoping to start naltrexone next week, I'm nervous but excited to get started. Anyone else on the journey and wants to share?

In the BNF it says naltrexone is not licensed for use in alcohol or gambling and I think in many places it is shared care at best, initiated by specialist and then prescribed by GP once the patient is stable on it. I think this explains some of the difficulties getting it from the GP.

I’ve been doing the Sinclair method for just about a year now. It’s been life changing for me. It’s just silenced the noise in my head so that I don’t think about alcohol now. I always have the pills in the house so that if I want a drink I can but it’s very easy to have one glass and then stop when I do.

Rethink Drink are amazing and offer the Sinclair method with support. Worth contacting them if you are struggling with alcohol.

I agree, the ability to have a glass or two of I'm out and then stop is a total game changer. I had some bad family news last week, and there was an evening where I really forced myself to sit and have a few wines to numb the pain, I thought it would help, but the 'joy' just didn't come.

I started this two days ago, going well so far.

I’ve signed up to Nul this morning. I need to change, hopefully this will help.

Hi @MuckySantangelo welcome! I am on my third month of nul and it really is helping!

It takes a little time to get all the info and the prescription. I felt a bit sick at the start, but keep going, it gets better.

Does Nul provide therapy alongside medication?

@Justwanttobebythesea there are different option levels, some include therapy, the basic one is just a weekly share call with others.

Naltrexone has been life changing for my partner. He's a month shy of not having alcohol for a whole year! He used nal effectively to cut down then he stopped and has chosen (easily) that he doesn't want the odd drink now and then, he'd rather be sober.

How is everyone doing? My medication is due to arrive this morning. I’m pretty apprehensive to be honest 😬

I'm doing ok, though I had a planned evening out last night. But my mission is to moderate and it's still working really well for me in that front. I'd like to cut down more, but I know it's going to be a process and not immediate.

It is quite scary taking something new, but ride through the first few days. And if you start to feel sick, you could go down to a half dose for a few days to ease in.

@MuckySantangelo How are you getting on with the medication?

I took my first tablet late afternoon. Not feeling so good so expect I won’t be having a glass of wine

Well…seeing as I had taken it I decided to have a glass of wine to see what it was like. Really didn’t enjoy it and felt worse. Still do this morning too but at least it was just one glass.

Ok good to know, yes just one glass is great and your brain will start re-wiring if you don’t enjoy it. I’ve started the process with Rethink drink.

Good luck @Justwanttobebythesea, let us know how you get on. I’ve not told anyone IRL I’m doing this so good to be able to share here

Anyone using this in the Uk?

Yes I’m in the UK

@MuckySantangelothank you.
Can I ask what route you took please? Im keen to look into this but would want medical oversight?

@mumzof4xI’m with https://www.choosenul.com/

I'm using Nul too

Hi, my naltrexone arrived today. I'm out tonight and tomorrow so I'm probably best to start it on Friday aren't I in case I'm really nauseous?

Can I ask you all how much this costs?

@DoctorMartinI pay £199 per month. There are more expensive packages with additional support.

I’ve only taken it twice and both times I’ve felt very strange. I’ve a big party tomorrow night and kind of dreading feeling unwell at it.

@DoctorMartinI’m paying £600 in total over 3 mths with £85 for the prescription. I will get additional support with it.

@MuckySantangelo- is that with a whole tablet or a reduced dose?