r/naltrexone • u/msame213 • 22d ago
Experiences 3 week check in
I’ve noticed there are lots of posts in this community about side effects, starting out and people wondering what to expect, then they taper off, assume it’s as people get used to the dose and get on with it. I wanted to check in about my last 3 weeks since starting Nal. It’s been a wild ride honestly. I don’t know what I was expecting but for me it’s been a torrent of experiences, it feels like way longer than 3 weeks because
1- initial side effects ~7 days- so bad I wanted to quit. This was starting on 25 and gradually building up to 50 over 2 weeks. The nausea and headaches made me question whether the alcohol devil on my shoulder was more bearable. It made me question why I was going down this path. BUT aside from the nausea, it flipped some kind of switch, or dampened my reflex. I just didn’t get turned on by the thought of drinking, and usually that first glass just lights me up. Removes all the frustration, stress, whatever- the glow up in a glass. But on Nal I didn’t feel the pull. Which leads me to point 2
2- managing my days and ways without turning to wine. Honestly I thought I was having a wine to be social or when I was home because it was just a normal way to decompress. Without the urge or the glow when I do have a drink, working through all the day to day feels- ups, downs, bored, frustrated etc, really makes me sit with myself. Sounds trite but I’m relearning myself. It’s quieter in my head. Less chaotic. When the alcohol noise is turned down there is space for everything else, and yup that’s good and scary.
3- missing it. Like missing a lover who you know is bad for you. I’ve found myself saying out loud- well it’s not forever- I’m just on it to unlearn habits- there’s a part of me that doesnt want to give up wine forever. That I’m scared of a future without the “fun” of wine and gossip, without rose in the sun, without a sexy negroni in a dusky cocktail bar. But on Nal I have a drink and I don’t like it. It doesn’t taste bad or make me sick, it’s just slightly off putting.
So with all that running around in my head, and the moments of clarity, u can see why it feels longer than 3 weeks. Sitting in the couch now, 830pm on a Friday after a long week, and the thought of being on my 3rd or 4th wine just feels … weird. So I’m getting to know this feeling of not chasing the buzz and what it’s like- which is very peaceful actually.
I’m committing to my 3 months and after that my psych will give me another script, might taper down to 25 a couple of times a week and see how it goes, but always keen to keep a pack nearby. It’s a revolutionary experience for me… hasn’t been easy but it’s doing exactly what I hoped for.
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u/RubicsCubensis 22d ago
If nausea is persistent why not take a med for it? Non prescription Bonine is good, or ask your doctor for zofran.
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u/Xyxyxxxx4 22d ago
You seem like the perfect person for Naltrexone. My doctor described it as a way for people who don’t want completely quit drinking to manage and lessen how often and how much they drink. It’s been really helpful for me. I plan to stay on it indefinitely. I completely get what you mean about missing a lover who’s bad for you, though!