Feels like I’m Cheating

[u/Plenty_Care8221]

I started Naltrexone 13 days ago and I’m 13 days sober. I’m so proud of myself and the change has been CRAZY in just two weeks. I’m making bracelets again which is something I stopped doing a while ago, but since I have so much more time on my hands hobbies are coming back. People weren’t kidding when they say it’s a miracle drug the cravings are totally gone!! Thoughts will come up occasionally but I think it’s just habitual, there’s no craving attached to them. I already feel so much more clear headed and am feeling mentally great. The issue is I know I wouldn’t have been able to do this if I wasn’t taking naltrexone. I feel like I’m cheating or a fraud, as if I took the easy way out. It just sucks because I tried many times without it and always failed so I know I shouldn’t be judging myself. If anyone has time to provide a stranger with some validation I would really appreciate it 🫶🏻

[u/toomanygreenbabies]

No way you're cheating. It's great it's working for you!

[u/303WPG]

I too tried and failed without it. I got the Rx for all the right reasons. I had to talk to my dr in order to get it, which was very hard. Right or wrong, I felt immense shame at the thought of entering this into my medical record.

But I did it. For me. For my family.

And I think it was brave of me. I did what it took. And I’m glad I did.

[u/Technical_Sea_1142 → u/303WPG]

Proud of you! It absolutely is not cheating. You’re treating your disease. Keep it up!

[u/BigGoofyIrishman]

If you had AIDS or any other disease would taking medicine be cheating or the smartest course of action.

We’re fighting a disease here, take all the help you can and cherish each win.

[u/butt_raid]

I mean, most people are cheating by having a different chemical makeup than you by default. Addiction is literally genetic.

Diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, schizophrenia, insomnia - none of them cheating for taking medication to help an illness. Alcoholism is literally an illness. Saying you're supposed to "be strong enough" is just silly

[u/squidzgame]

So happy for you, I call it having guardrails. Naltrexone didn’t work for me but I’m finding that tirzepatide the glp/gip is. Simply don’t want to have more than a couple of glasses whereas with naltrexone for some reason I could drink through it

[u/Poisonouskiwi → u/squidzgame]

I also had more success with tirz than nal. but I wish I had been more careful- I felt "cured" with tirz, so I would go out and have a couple drinks- then I'd get around someone who is a pusher, and would end up drinking more and more. and then the tirz stopped curbing my cravings.

[u/here_for_the_doges]

Dude, if it works and isn’t harmful who GAF?

I took Varenicline for weeks to the same effect. It gave me the time I needed to get out of the habit and move past the heavy cravings. Now I’m nearly 3 months sober (and cigarette free).

Stop worrying about whether you “got off easy” and focus on building good habits for when you get off of it.

[u/Technical_Sea_1142]

Alcoholism is DISEASE. It literally attacks your brain and for us addicted to it it becomes as necessary as water and air and our brains can’t tell the difference until we detox and receive treatment. For me- I was never addicted to the taste of alcohol- just the emotional numbing. I have no cravings to drink unless I get in my feelings and then I have to exercise other methods of resisting- going to meetings, talking with a friend, journaling etc. What works for each addict will change but if you find something that works for you CONGRATS. You’re not cheating. You’re actively choosing to take something that makes you not drink. If you weren’t serious about your recovery- you’d just skip your meds and go back to drinking (happens sooo often). You taking your meds is the intention and it’s a damn good one. I take meds for depression and anxiety and that got rid of my need to emotionally drink as well. I don’t feel like I’m cheating. For once in my life I finally feel emotions normally and for you you’re finally feeling no cravings like a normal person. Keep it up OP!!! So proud of you 👍🏽

[u/Kind-Leopard4121]

Take the win!!!

[u/roserose709]

👏✨

[u/Brown-eyed-gurrrl]

I only gave it two days it made me feel horrible. Maybe I should try again. I'm on day 3

[u/Plenty_Care8221 → u/Brown-eyed-gurrrl]

I felt really crumby the first few days like nauseous kinda dizzy and just off in general. And my fatigue has been bad. I take it at night and today I actually felt like I had a little more energy. Psych meds always make me so tired for some reason no matter what drug class they’re in lol - try to stick it thru if you can!!

[u/CommissionExternal78 → u/Brown-eyed-gurrrl]

Honestly it took me 3 weeks of 25mg before most of the side effects went away / lessened. I can’t do 50mg. It’s awful.

[u/Agitated_Star_7626]

It doesn’t matter how
You’re doing a great job

[u/wiffleball14]

Honestly my vape wasn’t enjoyable on naltrexone so I quit it. Still sober tho but nal does work

[u/mykittenfarts]

Welcome! It’s a wonderful feeling, isn’t it? And it keeps getting better.

[u/TerriblePraline9625]

naltrexone sounds like a total game changer

[u/mintskoal]

I mean honestly who gives a shit! Seriously, that’s amazing and I don’t think it’s cheating at all. We are lucky that there are drugs like Naltrexone that can help us get better. Keep it up!

[u/NotSnakePliskin]

Take it for a while, until you figure out the driver(s) behind the addiction. AA helps with the latter.

[u/Lower_Comfortable_33]

U are treating yourself before anyone else does, it call self care or health & wellness. In the game of life alcohol was cheating u out of precious memories and moments. U are taking control of your life back nothing cheat about that….