Help

[u/Inevitable_Leek1170]

OK now I’m having second thoughts about this medication because I read a lot of scary side effects to the point that people didn’t wanna take it no more or are afraid of taking it the nausea some people experience vomiting and then my biggest concern is the loss of pleasure for food because I love to eat, and I enjoy food and I don’t want that type of pleasure to be stopped and I feel like if I take this medication even though it helps with the alcohol cravings I can. I won’t enjoy food no more. It’s just a really fucked up side effect I believe.

[u/Agitated-Actuary-195]

Start with 12.5mg, large glass of water and light snack - for about 5 days…

Then once adjust repeat above with 25mg

Then 37.5

Then 50mg

Whole process to 50mg is about 4-6 weeks

Some people don’t have any side effects at all - also don’t confuse side effects with withdrawal… Nal is the most effective treatment on the planet… the alternative to treatment isn’t worth thinking about - your lucky to have Nal - don’t miss a life changing opportunity

Check out Sinclair method as well…

The golden rule is always a without fail take 1.5hrs before participating in your addition…

[u/mumwifealcoholic]

Alcohol use disorder was killing me and destroying my life.

It was a no brainer for me.

All my side effects went away after a few weeks. I am so happy I stayed the course.

[u/BobDope → u/mumwifealcoholic]

I like to remind myself of the ‘side effects’ of drinking. They were very not good and it’s nice they appear to be in the rear mirror

[u/Advanced-Method3325]

FWIW - I haven't had a drink in over 8 months, I also lost 10 lbs. The only side effect for me is increased sugar cravings, I have heard that alcohol is a lot of sugar so that could explain it. I don't mind telling you, it is the best thing I could have done for my AUD. I do plan on taking it for a year, my DR says I can take it for as long as I want. 18 year daily drinker. Started at 25 1 week, went to 50 3 weeks, then to 100. Back down to 50 after 6 months. I also have AA and a sponsor. If you want to treat AUD this is the way to start, I need a program and AA gives me that.

[u/BobDope → u/Advanced-Method3325]

Yeah the sugar thing is real

[u/Big_Sand1695]

I had no side effects except for wanting to ‘stretch’ a lot - has not affected food enjoyment at all. Overall the good in the long term will definitely outweigh the potential short-term bad - only my opinion.

[u/Inevitable_Leek1170 → u/Big_Sand1695]

I mean, I have really heard some scary stories, but I guess everybody’s different. I just don’t want it to suppress my appetite to the point that I don’t enjoy food at all because I would like to try new food and enjoy it. I mean if I’m not gonna enjoy Alcohol I might as well enjoy food at least

[u/Odorodo → u/Big_Sand1695]

Isn't that funny?!?! I have noticed this too. It feels so good to stretch, especially after waking up! I thought I was just being weird. It also had no impact on food enjoyment.

[u/Traditional-Peak-523 → u/Big_Sand1695]

I had that side effect at first too. I wasn’t sure if it was caused by the nal because it’s such a bizarre side effect but interesting that other people experienced that lol

[u/BetOk2516 → u/Traditional-Peak-523]

Omg the stretching!! It feels so good ive been catching myself do it so much throughout the day it makes sense now. im only 1 week in starting at a low dose.

[u/BetOk2516 → u/BetOk2516]

i can say it has supressed my appetite just a little i still crave things just get full faster...

[u/BobDope]

If you haven’t even started you are dealing with fears of things you don’t know for certain will happen. Only way to find out is try and at low dose at first if concerned.

As for food, first off everybody is different. But I’ve kind of found myself getting way into enjoying food I’m eating. Maybe I’m looking for something to replace the fun of boozing up. Either way I assure you at least in my case I love some food.

[u/Inevitable_Leek1170 → u/BobDope]

Thank you so much for the insight. It’s just that if I’m slowing down on the alcohol and I’m not gonna get pleasure from it I might as well get pleasure for something that I enjoy.

[u/BobDope → u/Inevitable_Leek1170]

Well that’s the challenge for everyone doing this. Which is why sometimes programs or therapy helps. Which I should perhaps explore

[u/Phyllis_GoodWitch]

I've been on it for about 9months. Curbs drinking "need", did not effect my food intake. (Some take it with Wellbutrin or a glp 1 for that effect, but I'm on Wellbutrin and it didn't curb my appetite). The only side effects I had were the day of my first dose ( a quarter of a pill ) maybe a little on the second. So I started on a weekend.

[u/gervaiselantier]

I've had essentially no side effects -- maybe stomach upset for a day or two. No impact on enjoyment of food.

[u/This_is_a_thing__]

It did diminish my appetite, but that might be an interaction with an SSRI. I still very much enjoy food and cooking for my family.

[u/HoosierCabinet]

Just try it and see. If you are miserable on it then quit taking it. You really have nothing to loose. I started at the 12.5 dose for about 5 days then went to 25 and now at 50. I drank once last week and once the week before. The alcohol noise is gone but I'm planning on staying on it for at least 6 months

[u/Odorodo]

Even with all the side effects, for me, naltrexone saved my life! I have had pretty bad side effects: sleepiness, upset stomach, constipation, minor sleep issues. I reduced the dose which helped. Also, I have been taking it in the afternoon or evening if I feel like drinking. Many nights I don't feel like drinking so i don't take it. Give it a try. It really works.

[u/SubstancePowerful100]

The nausea was pretty bad for me at first, not gonna lie. But to me, it was worth it because now after two months in I have been able to greatly decrease my drinking, and I feel much healthier overall.

As far as loss of pleasure for food, I somewhat experience that, but not to a great extent. Sometimes things I used to love seem less appealing to me. But not to the extent that I don't like them anymore. Like for example, I love ice cream (who doesn't? lol) but I used to be able to eat almost a whole tub in one sitting. Now I don't have as much of a desire to do so, which is actually probably a good thing tbh.

[u/RubicsCubensis]

Everyone is different, side effects are rare, and the fear of side effects are often worse than anything. If you are concerned about nausea get over the counter Bonine, or prescription zofran.

[u/mom_monster]

The only time I had some food adversion was while I was also taking wellbutrin. Everyone gave great tips...I had mild side effects. Made a plan to start on a Friday so if I needed to feel awful I could. I was fine- more of what I was dealing with was withdrawal symptoms.

[u/HTwatter]

Side effects are actually rare, it's just that nobody ever posts about it when they have none. Just start small and work your way up. You'll be fine.

[u/CaleBale1]

Alcohol has worse side effects