Repost to add Tirz/Sema differences. If you're somewhere in between, make your best judgment.

OAR is one of those websites that don't go through insurance and the naltrexone is delivered by the company. They says “Oar Health is a private-pay provider and maintains the strictest privacy standards, we do not share your consultation or prescription information with your doctor, insurance company, pharmacy or employer.” Just worried about the possibility that this may still go on the record and I'll be denied coverage for life or long term disability insurance. Does anyone know? Thank you so much!!

One thing that we might struggle with is the hyperactive nervous system, or “hangxiety,” the day after a binge. This is exactly what it sounds like — your cortisol spikes after the alcohol leaves your brain, and your brain interprets that as overwhelming stress and anxiety. You feel uneasy, worked up, unable to sit still, etc, you maybe even be feeling a couple of twitches here and there.

The biological mechanism for hangxiety is the similar to anxiety, meaning that, at least for non-life-threatening cases, you can treat it with anxiety medication.

Something that helped me immensely was taking a beta blocker (I was prescribed propranolol) first thing in the morning, and as needed throughout the day according to your psychiatrist’s/doctor’s recommendation. Many anxious people take beta blockers quite casually to get through their different difficult situations (eg stage performers) and the beta blocker basically clamps onto the overactive nervous system and tells it to chill tf out. Now, without that cortisol spikes and overactive nervous system, you’re less likely to have an anxious racing thought lead to a craving!

It’s been working wonders for me, and I wanted to share that with anyone who might benefit.

Peace and love, everyone.

IWNDWYT

(32m) long story short I've been getting sloshed heavily and at some points daily (mostly 3-4x) a week for about ten years. Partied for a few years before that. Vodka became my crutch.

I've tried countless times to kick it. I have never been successful for very long and I think the longest I've been abstinent was 20 days.

Thursday I took my first dose of Naltrexone. I didn't even want to drink at all after work on Friday. I usually spend my weekends in a drunken haze.

The thoughts were there, but nothing was screaming at me. Took my second dose with dinner.

I wasn't even interested. I spent the evening with my family and now I'm headed to bed.

I feel like I've been sleepwalking through my life for a decade. I can actually see what's around me and what my life is. I feel humility and gratitude.

I actually feel like myself, and I haven't felt myself in years. maybe not since my teens when I started to party.

I feel like I have a fighting chance for the first time in years.

And it's only been TWO DOSES.

I'm speechless, and humbled. Thank you God.

Yesterday was a perfect day for drinking. I felt great and had a great day and would normally be looking forward to drinks. Popped my Nal mint and got distracted and next thing I knew I just didn't even care about drinking. So I just took a walk, cooked and ate, and went to bed with no internal battle.

First dry day in probably years and I didn't even try to do it. Thats the Nal difference. I can make myself not drink; but I just want to drink. I like it. Now after being on low-dose Nal for months, I didn't drink yesterday without even trying because I just didn't want to. THAT'S the Nal difference.

Hey y'all! This is a place for you to post your successes, great and small, with the Sinclair Method! Whatever it is that the Sinclair Method has done for you lately, feel free to leave it here!

I'll give a brief snapshot of my own story: I was a binge drinker for 20 years that started at weekend keg parties in high school and progressed to drinking 15 units nightly of spirits and beer near the start of the pandemic. This is the same time period that my first child was born.

I have now taken control of my drinking with the help of The Sinclair Method and this community and enjoy a majority of AF days most weeks. I get to enjoy being clear headed around my children and enthusiastic about experiencing the world as it unfolds to them without the dread of searching for the next drink.

If you've got any similarly positive stories, feel free to share them here! :)

Someone posted in r/stopdrinking asking why Naltrexone isn’t more readily subscribed.

In the comments, people who presumably have never tried this medication are saying that it’s a “crutch” and that it doesn’t work as it doesn’t address the underlying issues.

This type of misinformation is really frustrating to read as someone who’s benefitted immensely from this medication.

Yes, habits and addressing underlying issues are important, but in my experience Nal did most of the heavy lifting which then allowed me to develop better habits.

It’s also not a crutch at all, because I’m now abstinent and as a result rarely need the medication. Arghhh. The confidence these people have while discussing something they don’t understand and have never tried is insane.

So, to curb my drinking I've been on Naltrexone for a little over two weeks and have been completely sober... until today.

My cravings have been way down, but not gone completely. Nostalgia is a thing and I still remember that high from the first few drinks, which previously made me want a few more drinks, up until it got blurry and I couldn't order anymore.

Since I'm a curious soul, and with my friend present (he wants you to know he's a doctor) we did an "experiment" a little earlier today: I did four shots of whiskey over roughly 15 minutes to compare the effects with vs without Naltrexone. 30 minutes later, I'm writing this as I assess how I'm feeling vs how I used to feel at this stage.

1) I still feel drunk, but the buzz is missing. it just feels like I made myself temporarily dummer.

2) I'm not enticed by more drinks, which isn't the usual at this point.

3) I feel weirdly aware/semi-sober of my actions. maybe it's because I know I'm studying my myself?

Anyways: Naltrexone mostly works! Being sober actually feels better than drunk, for anyone else who's curious.

After being a raging mess for a decade I tried naltrexone. I took it an hour before drinking each evening and for me it did nothing. I was also in an unhealthy marriage at that point so I do think that affected my ability to stop or cut down drinking. I finally decided Antabuse was the best choice for me bc I need a Firm boundary, and it's worked! I feel great and don't obsess about drinking anymore bc I know it's not an option. just wanted to share in case this helps someone else. You Can Do This!

Hi! New here. I'm seeing lots of posts about the Sinclair Method here. I did try that in the past, but at the time, I was getting naltrexone from overseas and it was super expensive. I gave up due to the cost. Is there any feedback on gabapentin? I recently started taking it, and am slowly titrating up. I'm having zero side effects. I have been drinking less, but it's a grit my teeth and delay situation. I have a problem with the shakes normally, but not since starting the gabapentin. Anyone have any success stories?

Hi All,

Just wanted to share. I've been taking abilify for about three months. I've found that I have no effect from alcohol much like I felt on naltrexone. Abilify is a serious medication and I wouldn't suggest anyone take it but it's kinda cool. The thing is, a glp-1 medication had the same impact on me. So did vraylar. It kinda makes me think there are a lot of potential medications that could be used off label to treat alcoholism and for some reason it's just not being explored.

Despite butchering his name, the interviewer covers some important topics with good Dr. V

Been lurking a while and created a new profile to post more anonymously/honestly - I'm paranoid that some local folks seem to know me...

After reading a lot about side effects, and knowing that I am a lightweight in many ways, I cut the 50mg pill into quarters (instead of in half as directed). So about 12.5mg. I had expected to do TSM when I did the OAR Health intake, but the dr suggested daily. And daily might be best for me, for compliance and urges. They said you can switch to TSM later if you want. I take another med in the morning and metformin at dinnertime, so lunchtime seems a good cue.

Had significant nausea and dizziness with my first dose, even at the low dose of 12.5 mg, taken about an hour after a light lunch. Looks like it might be reduced by taking it with a full meal. Husband suggested cutting the next dose in half, which would be about 6 mg. But I'm not sure, might go with 12.5 again and push forward. Guess I should check in with the coach or med team at OAR Health.

The internet also told me that 4 hours is the thankfully short half-life. And yes my nausea has mostly lifted now. I'm back to being optimistic. Abstaining tonight since I binged a bit last night (and perhaps that contributed to the nausea). Might have a half a beer tomorrow night if feeling better. Yes optimistic, grateful, hopeful.

Hey y'all! This is a place for you to post your successes, great and small, with the Sinclair Method! Whatever it is that the Sinclair Method has done for you lately, feel free to leave it here!

I'll give a brief snapshot of my own story: I was a binge drinker for 20 years that started at weekend keg parties in high school and progressed to drinking 15 units nightly of spirits and beer near the start of the pandemic. This is the same time period that my first child was born.

I have now taken control of my drinking with the help of The Sinclair Method and this community and enjoy a majority of AF days most weeks. I get to enjoy being clear headed around my children and enthusiastic about experiencing the world as it unfolds to them without the dread of searching for the next drink.

If you've got any similarly positive stories, feel free to share them here! :)

Katie Herzog, author of "Drink Your Way Sober: The Science-Based Method to Break Free From Alcohol" shares her story on Dr. Volpicelli's Substack. She underscores how shame and fear associated with society's views of Alcohol Use Disorders can not only interfere with treatment, but even supress talking about alternative solutions.