Campral
Posted , 13 users are following.
I'm 36. I've been a diagnosed alcoholic for about 10 years, been drinking for about 23. At my peak, I was drinking 1+ bottle of vodka every day just to function. For about the last 4 years I've been doing better, with serious relapses/binges about every 6-12 months. I've done AA. Also Antabuse but it scares me a little so I go off it thinking Im in a good place, then BAM! I talked to a doc about maybe trying TSM and Naltrexone but with my history, he wouldn't advise it. Did not want to take Vivitrol as I don't like the idea of blocking endorphins 24X7X365. We settled on Campral. I've been on it about 6 months now. Just realized I'm getting into the danger zone having not drank in 6 months. I guess my real question is, can you tell that Campral is having any effect? I don't have any craving so I guess that is good, but I typically don't have cravings until right before I drink! My last few relapses came out of nowhere with very little to trigger them.
Does the medication have any noticeable effect, or should I just assume if I'm not drinking it's working?! If it's not doing anything, I might as well just go back to Antabuse.
0 likes, 21 replies
karen36196 jason_97037
Posted
I took campronol expecting it to sort my cravings it didn't so I ended up still drinking I'm now on a program to cut down but really need a detox
jason_97037 karen36196
Posted
I could never have gotten out of that bottle a day habit without detox and inpatient rehab (even though insurance told me I was cured halfway through). I hope your able to find something that helps. If you need detox you need detox, but if you can get through that check out The Sinclair Method if you're not already aware of it. I was very excited to see there could be a real cure. Unfortunately for me, it's too big a risk.
karen36196 jason_97037
Posted
vickylou jason_97037
Posted
I was sober for 4 years, but I constantly craved alcohol. My social life disappeared as I couldn’t see the point of socialising and not drinking. Started drinking again and very quickly was drinking more than ever.
Roll on a few years, started taking campral and it started to kick in a week later. No cravings, didn’t think about drinking, started socialising again, it changed my life. Took it for about the maximum time, 10 months and not looked back.
I do drink socially now, not secretively and not spirits.
I would say it’s working for you as you’re not drinking. I’m not a medic, but I’d steer clear of Antabuse. It’s outdated, dangerous, doesn’t stop cravings and can be fatal.
Id stick with campral. Am pretty sure that after about 10 months on it, there’s nothing to be gained from keeping taking it.
good luck
JulieAnne101 jason_97037
Posted
Hi Jason
I can't understand why you believe that TSM is too much of a risk for you. My Husband was a very heavy drinker for many years. He only ever admitted to me that he had 20-30 units a day, but I'm certain at times it was more than that. He was in a very dangerous cycle of tapering back, Delerium Tremens and seizures. Absolute hell. He started taking Naltrexone as per TSM in April 2017. He is now drinking around 6 units per week. I call that success.
There are others on here that can explain the process much better than I can. So I am hoping they can explain Pharmacological extinction in more detail. Have faith. It does work.
Kind regards
JulieAnne
jason_97037 JulieAnne101
Posted
I actually went to a doc who specializes in TSM and HE refused to advise is for me. I guess I'm in a wierd situation. I actually stayed sober for about 5 months on my own, no Antabuse, Camprol, or Nal. But one of the things that kept me going was the idea that we might try tsm and finally beat this thing. Once I got to the doc I had 5 months abstinent. After telling him how bad my uncontrolled relapses had been, he refused to be the one who allowed the next one to happen. He didn't seem to have as much faith in TSM as I did after hearing so many success stories! I guess he kind of sold me on the fact that it would be like playing with fire, and there would be a 20% chance it doesn't work and ends up being the relapse that kills me!
JulieAnne101 jason_97037
Posted
Sorry to hear a DR has given you this advice.
I believe the risk of relapse is more without TSM. I understand Campral has a 30% success rate not as good as TSM. But it is your choice you know how you feel.
You have a difficult decision to make. My Husband did try Campral for 3 months, but the urge to drink became overwhelming. He lost his job at that point and so had a massive binge. We so wanted Campral to work.
No chance of getting a second opinion?
Regards
JulieAnne
vickylou JulieAnne101
Posted
Great to know how well your husbands doing. It must be like having a different person, or the old one back
regards
jason_97037 JulieAnne101
Posted
This actually was my 2nd opinion! The first was my psych who I've gone to for years. He had never heard of TSM and he thought the whole thing was laughable (literally). I gave him the book The Cure For Alcoholism and he refused to touch it. I am seriously thinking about a third opinion. Like I mentioned in my first post, my relapses have become farther apart but have become much more serious (Deprivation effect?). I'm scared that the next one could cost me my job, my family, or my life. It does sound a bit crazy to drink to cure drinking, but at this point, I'm willing to try anything. Actually rewiring my brain so this daemon isn't there anymore would be a dream come true. I have amazing support from my wife and close family so I think we could handle it even if it was just long enough to say "This isn't going to work for me". We had it all planned out that the first time I would drink with my wife, something I've never done before, I always hide. I vowed to be compliant and not to disappear like I've done during my previous benders and she agreed to work with me through the cravings ect. Drinking under these circumstances, I think, would be much better than me hiding alone with a bottle as I usually do. It gives me a little hope to hear people say I should keep trying. Thank you.
JulieAnne101 vickylou
Posted
Yep Hubby is a different person. As you may remember me telling you, he managed to abstain for 2 years, but he is even better than he was then! I never knew he was such a witty man.
Very pleased that Campral is still working for you Vicks.
Hope all else is well xx
JulieAnne
JulieAnne101 jason_97037
Posted
How wonderful that your wife and family are supporting you. My Husband said he could cope much better with my support, rather than when he was sneaking bottles in and out of the house. I found empties in some amazing places!
I don't believe you should count the conversation you had with your Psych as a first opinion, especially if he has never heard of TSM.
There are a lot of people on this forum who have had great success with TSM, I know its anecdotal but there is the research that backs it up.
I would get another opinion. If the Campral continues to work, that's great as I have said only you know if you're able to control the cravings or how often you are thinking about alcohol.
Are you in the U.S. or U.K.?
Kind Regards
JulieAnne
jason_97037 JulieAnne101
Posted
I'm in the US. And yes...if there is one thing we're good at its finding places to hide the bottles and ways to sneak a drink!
vickylou JulieAnne101
Posted
Ive not taken campral for over a year now. The first time, many years ago was for 10 months (recommended maximum period), it’s done it’s work, so to speak. Pointless taking it for longer.
It worked fine and completely changed my life and eventually started drinking cider or prosecco just socially.
However last year OH was retiring, so many business lunches with him, friends’ retirement dos, weddings etc and I felt I was drinking too much. Went back on campral for six months. Now just tend to drink at weekends, never spirits though.
Yes thanks, all else is good. Knackered grandma though, be glad when school starts. Love them to bits, but nice to hand them back
vicks
Robin2015 jason_97037
Posted
Hello Jason. What a wonderful family you have got. My advice would be to stay sober. I nearly destroyed my family but did stop 5 1/2 years since I had 13 months old twins to care for and my wife was working and I was the house dad. Unemployed but had the best job in the world. Did drink very heavily for many years and always hiding bottles . My thoughts are with you😃 Robin
yvonne5427 jason_97037
Posted
Just reading your situation makes me feel that you are a success and Campral is the reason that helped you get to 6 months. A bottle of Vodka a day is no joke (im there) so to be sober by taking a mesication is BRILLIANT! I wish the US had stuff like the UK and other parts, Id take them all to nip this death sentence for me. Hang on your good!!
Joanna-SMUKLtd yvonne5427
Posted
The US does have this stuff, too. Naltrexone was approved for treating alcohol misuse in 1994 and Campral was approved in 2004.
Google CThree Foundation and Claudia Christian and you will find her website that has a lot of doctors listed right across America that treat alcohol misuse (though your normal doctor is authorised to prescribe, too).