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?

I took the whole tablet both times. Sounds like a stupid question but do you just break the tablet in half?

I am planning on starting with a quarter of a tablet ( breaking it up) just cos of the nausea effects. Then building up from there.

The nausea does pass. Though I will warn you, if you have a bit of a night out after one, I felt very sick the next day. Where as I would normally have felt fine!

Had a big event last night. Took half a tablet and was far less nauseous (still felt a bit weird). It definitely does activate an off switch which I just don’t have. How is everyone else getting on?

Hi, just an update on me. I took 1/2 on Sunday - no nausea and only managed 1 glass of wine (yay!) however the insomnia was unreal (def not just alcohol detox as I usually sleep okish without alcohol). Last night I didn't drink and no nal and slept ok.

Has anyone else experienced sleep issues on nal? I'm out Friday so will take 1/2 again but really not looking forward to another bad night's sleep!

I've been so tired taking it, I feel like I could sleep and sleep!

I've just signed up to Nul as well and sent off the blood test. Really hoping it works!

Hi all, I've just joined the Sinclair Method, expecting my first Naltrexone pills tomorrow. It'll be good to be connected with others on the journey!

Welcome new people!

I was really nervous doing the blood test, I don't know why. I am a few months into my journey now. If I'm honest, I still drink most days. But most days are one or two glasses of wine, compared to always a bottle and a bit. So I'm taking that win. Hoping to use the Nal to get me through the Christmas period without horrible hangovers every single day. Then in Jan as things settle down, get into a better routine.

It's already made such a difference, but I know there is further to go.

Can I share my partner is a week away from 12 months of not drinking alcohol! I think he's reached extinction.

Congratulations @TitasaducksarseDid your partner use Nal? I’m really struggling with how it makes me feel. I know I need to stick with it but finding it tough.

Yes they used nal!
History of alcohol addiction and dependency in his family inc parental and sibling death.
He honestly feels it's a miracle drug.

Congratulations to your partner, that's amazing progress :)

I've started taking it - 1/4 on Thursday, it didn't stop me drinking (had a big social occasion) but I didn't turn into a bottomless pit! Last night I had a 1/2, stopped after 3 glasses, just didn't fancy any more, which is unusual for a Friday night. No nausea but I am bloody exhausted - hard to know whether it's the Nal or the time of year tbh.

How far in are you @MuckySantangelo ?

@ohthejoysoftoddlerOnly a few weeks. I’ve only taken it 3 times. I don’t drink every day, but it generally goes off the rails when I do. I know I need to stick at it. How long did it take for the nausea / general weird feeling to decrease?

Are you using a programme @MuckySantangelo. Nul told me to take every day, regardless. I'd say it took a few weeks, but I was/am taking every day.

Oooh I’m so glad I found this thread! I started 2 weeks ago.

I’m no expert but that sounds a bit odd. A key part of TSM is that you ONLY take it on days you drink, not every day. I’m not sure why that is considered important but I know it is.

I've been doing it for a year now, always following the rules and I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol without having first taken the pill since I started. It’s been life changing for me. I now tend to drink just a couple of nights a week and no more than 10 units over a week. And the best thing is the constant “noise” of alcohol has gone from my head. I used to have alcohol in my head all day but now I really could take it or leave it. And I sleep brilliantly every night now… no waking at 2am with major alcohol anxiety!

For the first few months the pills gave me an upset stomach and I would be rushing to the loo about 4 hours after I took it. But that passed eventually and now I have no side effects when I take it.

Good luck to everyone on this journey. I really do think it’s a miracle pill!

@WillowD I think it's because if I have the urge every day at about the same time, then it might/should help me stop taking the step to pour or not at all. Also no expert, and blindly following the people I'm paying haha

I think TSM may recommend taking it only on drinking days (which may be daily when you first start) is that Nal blocks endorphin receptors, and you dont want those receptors being blocked when you're doing an activity (e.g. exercise, eating your favourite meal, watching a comedy etc), which may activate those receptors. The method wants to de-associate drinking and happiness but reinforce (let's say) exercise and happiness. That would be my guess, because TSM say you should do things that bring you joy/fun on days when you're not drinking.

I used the Sinclair Method and it really helped turn off the alcohol noise. The main drawback was the nausea. It was really strong if i took 1 tablet. I ended up taking half instead and using travel sickness pills to try and mitigate it. The nausea lasted a couple of days each time but i think it's because i didn't always take the tablet with a big meal.

I had my work Christmas lunch yesterday - took 1/2 and had some wine - I didn’t get any buzz from it but carried on drinking. I can see that part of my habit is needing to hold my glass and drink due to social anxiety.

Anyway came home and I had a sleep tea which is unheard of for me as normally would carry on at home. Found the whole lunch v boring though but at least this morning I’m hangover free and no anxiety over what I did or said .

What are people doing about the fact if you’re in an accident you can’t take opioid painkillers - do you have a bracelet or have told partners? I haven’t told anyone.

I'm planning to have my first one this evening - friend's birthday party. I'm really worried that I'll react badly to it though.

Good luck @FormelMight be worth trying half first. I went to Christmas drinks last night (took half). Didn’t drink anywhere near as much as usually would, ended up on Diet Coke and left at a reasonable time. Very pleased with that side of things but feeling very nauseous today. Not a hangover, just 🤢

A year sober today for my partner who used naltrexone.
He honestly would say trust the process.....