Naltrexone?
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Anonymous
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Shameful to admit, but I'm a functioning alcoholic and would like to use it. I made an appt. with one of those online compounding pharmacies to discuss - do you think the quality of the meds. will be good? Should I ask my PCP? I'm honestly mortified at the idea of having to tell my PCP that I'm a drunk.
I can go weeks at a time without booze but once I start up again it's constant drinking for a few weeks/months. I did Dry January perfectly and then immediately fell back into drinking in Feb. And when I drink it's not a glass of wine. I would appear to have been manufactured without an off switch.* Honestly this is effed up but I mostly just want to be skinny again (I gained like 20 pounds since I started drinking heavily) and that will never happen if I keep drinking as heavily as I do. To be clear, I haven't ever done anything super messed up. I don't start drinking at 7am, I don't drink at work or show up to work drunk, I don't drive drunk, I don't get in fights or put my loved ones in harm's way. I literally just have a random craving for a glass of wine and then drink a bottle or two by myself. (And yes, I know besides being thin again, it would be nice to not worry about dying young or having liver failure.) Anyway. This is all to say I'm ashamed it's come to this but I welcome anyone's thoughts/experiences/insight. |
Anonymous
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Just ask your PCP. They talk about this all the time and see this all of the time.
Best of luck to you. |
Anonymous
| The app Sunnyside also connects you with a provider who can prescribe it. The have a free for the app. Might be worth checking out. This also seems like something that could be good for telemedicine, like the teledoc app. |
Anonymous
This might be a dumb question but if I go to my PCP, will I have to jump through hoops? Will they make me try rehab or therapy first, for example? I work full-time and I have a strong sense of shame about this so I really cannot take off work for a month for rehab. |
Anonymous
Yes, tell your PCP. They can get you good medication and also help monitor health issues related to drinking. You can do this! PP is right - they have seen and heard it all and probably already know. They want you to be well. |
Anonymous
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I am not sure if a pcp will prescribe it, you might want a doctor who specializes in addiction. I’ll also add that they don’t always tell you you should wear a medical bracelet if you’re on naltrexone because it will affect how you react to opioids. There are other medicines approved for alcohol use disorder too.
You can definitely get help! I used to drink heavily and naltrexone didn’t help me quit, but I finally gave it up for good and have been in recovery for a few years now. You can do this and try not to feel ashamed, addiction is a medical condition that can be treated. |
Anonymous
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Try your PCP. If alcohol affects your lab work—elevated liver enzymes, higher cholesterol, blood sugar issues, etc., you want your physician to know that alcohol may be contributing. Otherwise, you can end up with inappropriate referrals or delays in dealing with pressing issues.
To be honest, some doctors are judgmental. But if yours reacts in a less-than-supportive way, you want to know that and to find a new PCP anyway. You need a doctor you can trust. Most people who experience addiction challenges do not take time off for inpatient rehab. Like you, many folks can’t find the time off or forgo income. This is one of the reasons why AA is relatively popular. |
Anonymous
| My spouse got it from their primary care. Unfortunately, it didn’t help. Their problem sounds similar to you—all or nothing. They are fine if they don’t have a drink, but they can’t just have one. One leads to several. I think not drinking consumes them. I think maybe trying glp-1 could help. |
Anonymous
| I would also recommend finding a therapist who specializes in substance abuse. Medication can be one tool of a multi-pronged approach, but by itself, is likely not enough support for you. I’m rooting for you, OP. |
Anonymous
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I would do the online doc first and try it out. See if it helps. If yes, then good. If not, then look at taking a more serious step into dealing with alcoholism.
Also, agreed that a glp might help with both weight and drinking. |
Anonymous
| Glp-1s are proving to be very effective for some addictions, including alcohol. I'm not sure what the dose is for addiction, but I have friends for whom micro-dosing has enabled them to lose a little weight and also almost completely stop drinking. |
Anonymous
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I could have written your original post word for word! I asked my PCP and she told me to "just drink seltzer" - um, not helpful.
I have been considering Sunnyside for naltrexone, or asking my online perimenopause provider for a glp-1 since I'm also about 20lbs overweight. I think you shouldn't be worried about reaching out to Sunnyside - what's the harm in trying them out, right? |
Anonymous
| If you’re in DC try the Kolmac clinic, it’s what they do and there are after work hours programs. You have a better shot at sobriety if you don’t try to do it secretly by yourself |
Anonymous
| I was on a low dose for an inflammatory issue and it did absolutely nothing to curb my drinking (which was in moderation, not an issue). So I would make sure you're doing it on conjunction with some therapy, rehab, etc (even just an online support group) as I don't really know how effective it is by itself. |
Anonymous
Well, no, it wouldn't because you were on a low dose. Low dose is >5mg and the dosage for AUD is 25-50mg. If you weren't even taking it for AUD, why would you comment on it as if you were and speak so self-assuredly that it's not effective. |