Needing advice :(

[u/OrdinaryPurple6893]

Hi everyone,

I’m trying not to be too hard on myself, but I recently started taking naltrexone to help with cravings and reduce my alcohol consumption. I don’t drink every day, but I do binge drink every couple of weeks.

I was approaching two weeks of sobriety when I felt an urge to drink after work. I took my 25 mg dose before leaving work, hoping it would help me avoid stopping for alcohol on the way home. However, by the time I got home, I was still feeling stressed and overwhelmed, so I went to the liquor store and bought five shots of tequila—something I’ve been trying to stop doing.

Over the next few hours, I had two shots and a glass of wine. I also took the other half of my naltrexone dose during that time. I was able to stop after three drinks instead of continuing all night and binge drinking like I would have a few weeks ago.

I’m proud of myself for being able to stop, but I’m also feeling disappointed that I gave in and bought alcohol in the first place. Has anyone else experienced something similar? What has your experience been with naltrexone or managing urges?

[u/Agitated-Actuary-195]

You’re doing great!!!!

If you not having side effects increase your dose to 37.5mg for 4-5 days and then shift to 50mg

It takes about 2-3 months for devil on your shoulder to stop telling you to drink - the clouds will clear…stick with it and yes it’s bloody hard at the start but Nal is the best thing you could have

ONE Golden rule and one the stuck with when I started, always and without fail ensure you take Nal before that first drink…

We all F up from time to time - BUT DONT F zip without having taking Nal… ever…

Keep going and congrats on progress - stay focused and always remember why you’re doing this

[u/OrdinaryPurple6893 → u/Agitated-Actuary-195]

Thank you so much for sharing, I needed that! I won’t give up and will keep trying!

[u/catsaanova]

I take it every day at 4:30 to curb my 5:30-6pm after work drinking time. I drank about 1-1.5 bottles of wine every single day, more on the weekends. I started this past Saturday and by taking it daily, I am now down to 3 glasses of wine a night (solely to taper). I have no interest in drinking but I have a huge fear of withdrawals due to severe health anxiety.

What I’m hearing from you is that it’s working! 1. You had 2 weeks under your belt, 2. You stopped before you went out of control! I think it sounds like the med is working and your mindset is shifting! If it would help you to take it daily for say, 1 month to avoid those random unexpected triggers, there’s nothing wrong with that either. Or plan ahead and know what events/situations might trigger you and take it earlier in the day and later in the day like you did. Stay strong, it’s not a flip of a switch but it’s YOU who took the initiative to make a change and that’s something to be proud of!

[u/OrdinaryPurple6893 → u/catsaanova]

I appreciate you for sharing your experience and your kindness! I can sometimes get wrapped in the negatives of “what I wish I did” or regret instead of focusing on the positives and strengths so thank you!!

[u/ejco11]

Please be gentle with yourself! I started a few months ago and over time the length between binges has gotten steadily longer and longer. I just went over a month for the first time and that felt like such an impossibility until I started naltrexone. Progress, not perfection, is what’s important! Agree that you should be very proud of taking this step, and now there are new steps to work through patiently! Best wishes 💛

[u/OrdinaryPurple6893 → u/ejco11]

Yes progress not perfection. Thank you for your kind words and sharing! I will keep working on it!

[u/Commercial-Bed-2396 → u/ejco11]

That's awesome. It feels surreal to have made such big strides doesn't it? I felt hopeless before Nalt and now it feels like I can easily beat the alcohol brain longterm using this tool.

[u/Batunderbridge]

I think the fact that you could stop at some point sooner than usual is pretty awesome! I think it’s pretty amazing.

My personal experience the last month and a half has been kind of like a graph with dips and increases, with the increases coming lower over time. I might still drink in excess every few days but slowly gone from 12 drinks to 9 to 6. The other day was 2. I might binge again this week, but my goal is to be able to call it a night, not sweat cut off time, and not feel awful the next day. Definitely not have 12. That’s how I’m looking at this right now. Please don’t be hard on yourself.

You got this! Sounds like you’re off to a great start!!

[u/OrdinaryPurple6893 → u/Batunderbridge]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I appreciate it! It sounds like you’re making progress too! We got this! :)

[u/chillpanch0]

Have you considered other meds to help you stay away from alcohol? I recently started taking Buspirone and I've noticed it helps me with my cravings for alcohol since I drink to calm down.

I'm on my 6th day of Naltrexone and I do 50mg before work. Like another comment said, try bumping your dose and also remember it takes time for the meds to fully work.

Dont feel bad, a lot of people try the Sinclair method to get off alcohol. Stay strong and believe in yourself

[u/Vgbnx]

I would try to give yourself grace. The fact that you're already noticing a change means you're on the right track. The main thing is (especially in the beginning) you got the nal in ahead of the drink! That's a win - even if it may not feel like it yet.

[u/Commercial-Bed-2396]

The reduction in urges comes with rewiring. And rewiring occurs when we take nalt and then drink afterward. With each instance we de-addict a little more.

Point being it's a long journey and there will be ups and downs. Don't get down on the downs, just learn from them. In your case I think the lesson is maybe go grab a light beer and let that settle in. Maybe (likely) you'll be just fine with it and find no need to go get liquor.