[gibbo101]

They are talking about putting me on antabuse for a while, but i know that even though i dont want to drink, i would test what they say about me drinking while taking it. Dont ask me why, i dont know, but i would take that drink. On one hand i am hoping it will putt me off drinking again, but i am scared about how dangereous it is. Has anyone any experience (or knowledge) about this?? Thanks

[DePressMe]

Hi gibbo101, I have been taking antabuse for 2 and 1/2 years. I have not had a drink in that entire time. I think antabuse is great--for the right type of person. It has helped me a great deal and is an important part of my recovery program. However, if you really think you would drink just to test it, then maybe antabuse is not right for you. I had to really, truly be committed to staying sober before I started the antabuse.

[splitimage]

Hi gibbo101.

I drank while on antabuse and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. Your face turns bright red, your heartbeat really speeds up and the nausea and vomitting are incredible. I was throwing up so bad that 1/2 the time I didn't even make it to the bathroom, and I was afraid that I was going to have a heart attack my heart was racing so fast. I think it also made coming off the alcohol much harder too. I was really sick for about 4 days after I stopped drinking. It was 48 hours before I could keep anythign down and I had really bad stomache pains.

If you're not 100% committed to sobriety I wouldn't recommend antabuse. I'll never drink while I'm on it again and would strongly discourage anyone from drinking while on it - it's just not worth it.

Have you talked to your Dr. about Acamprosate or Naltrexone. I've never tried Acamprosate, but have heard really good things about it stopping alcohol cravings. I'm on Naltrexone, it helps with cravings and also blocks any high that you might get from drinking if you do drink.

--splitimage

[Stiv]

Is the antabuse in some sort of injection form, or tablets? Tablets can be ignored if it's an injection that's a whole nuther story.

I too would recommend Acomprosate (Campral) or Naltrexone for the above mentioned reasons.

I'm familiar with the Campral and once you have a few days ETOH free you can start taking it and that's when you will derive benefit, but it's effectiveness is rendered null if you drink while using it. It's helped me get two and a half years sober so far and no side effects.

Naltrexone will be more effective if you are prone to relapse due to the agonistic effects of the drug.

[splitimage]

One downside to the naltrexone though is becuase it's an opiod antagoinist none of the opiate based based painkillers will work while you're on it. So I have to carry a card in my wallet saying I'm on it, in case i'm ever in an accident.

--splitimage

[iamtwilight]

My dad was on Antabuse... But he skips his doses so that he can drink.

I am very sick of this (though have resorted to the same ways) and considered of secretly putting Antabuse in his drink so he would not drink alcohol... But then I read that it can be fatal.

He gets some type of pain in his liver with Antabuse - I decided not to risk. It really can depend on the person.

My dad heard about another medication which (at least in Finland) is a bit more expensive than Antabuse, but it makes you detest alcohol, you can drink a glass of champagne for example, but you won't enjoy it. I don't know if it's any of the meds already mentioned here.

[splitimage]

Katie,

Sounds like Naltrexzone (aka Revia) it interferes with the centers of your brain that give you pleasure when you drink. When I drink on it, I just get this kind of blech feeling and a kinda funny feeling in my head. And it's way more expensive than Antabuse. My antabuse perscription is 50 / month and my naltrexzone's almost 300. I hope to go off of it once I make it to one year sober.

--splitimage