Campral with TSM

It absolutely does not build up in your system, CM.  Sadly, the level of understanding from doctors about this medication is terribly low.

The length of time that the blockage is 100% in force varies depending on metabolism, but as a general guide, most doctors who do understand about this treatment say around 8 to 10 hours from taking the tablet. 

However, many people fall into a little 'trap' when they hear that.  This doesn't mean that someone can drink for that length of time because remember that the goal for this treatment is to release the endorphins from the first drink, and then work towards stopping as soon as possible after that first drink.  It is a limit, not a target!

What it does mean is that if someone interrupts and stops their drinking, then great, but if the craving returns during that 8 to 10 hours, then they can have another drink safely, knowing they are still protected during that 8 to 10 hours.

It isn't that TSM doesn't work for someone drinking vodka (or other spirits) because the science behind it is sound and the endorphins we want to block are released by ethanol, no matter whether that ethanol is in spirit form or beer, the issue is more to do with the person and their perception of how things are going on TSM.  Let me try explain this way:

Imagine TSM to be the equivalent of someone who has been to their doctor and has been prescribed a tablet to take an hour prior to eating.  These tablets exist and they work very well, actually.  However, losing weight is a long process and if that person continues to be stuffing McDonalds down them every day, then any progress they see with the tablets will be patchy at best, and non-existent at worse.  At this point, they can perceive that the tablets aren't working for them, feel a failure because they aren't losing weight, and simply stop taking them.  To get the smoothest results, those tablets need to be taken correctly, but also that person should be actively moving towards making better choices about their eating.... starting to eat less fat-laden products, and then taking steps towards learning to cook, perhaps.

For TSM, the same is true in that it can take a number of months to extinguish the dependency to alcohol.  So, during that time, compliance is absolutely vital.  The science, as I say, is sound and it will do it, but not drinking hard spirits can make the entire process much smoother and eliminate the chances of someone not seeing much progress and stopping taking the tablet.  The number 1 reason that TSM doesn't work is non-compliance (ie. not taking the tablet, not waiting the time before drinking or simply stopping taking it altogether).

To provide a smooth a recovery as possible, it is much, much, MUCH better to work with in partnership with the tablet.  Be that person who actively begins to work towards recovery rather than just leaving it to chance.  Instead of drinking vodka at such a rate as to allow the alcohol to affect the pre-frontal part of the brain to become saturated, try a drink that means you remain in control longer because you are not drinking as fast as to become intoxicated.  Should you have a loved one in your life, too, this is also something that can help them be at ease with the treating.  At the end of the day, they want you to stop drinking.  It's hard enough for them to accept TSM and accept that someone has to drink for this treatment to work.  The last thing they want to see is someone still drinking as they were prior to TSM, because then they will start to believe it isn't working too and can also pressure the drinker to find an alternative.... when all the drinker really needs is to make the process smoother for themselves and their loved one.

I was, myself, a vodka drinker too but I switched to lager (Stella Artois) in the beginning of TSM.  I literally HAD to stop drinking and when I was told this from the person who took me through TSM, I decided that the most important thing for me was that it HAD to work and I didn't want to leave anything to chance.  Honestly, if that person had suggested to me that things would be better if I stood on my head for the hour wait, then I would've done it!!!

I am just heading off to bed for the night but will reply to you as soon as I am awake and see your message. 

Joanna.

Thanks!  If I had a £ for every time I have explained that over the past few years, I'd be a millionaires!!

Many years ago, I gave up alcohol completely for four years. However the craving was still there. My social life was nil, didn’t see the point as I couldn’t drink. I was envious of people being able to drink ‘normall’. Was much easier with campral.

With regards campral and TSM together, I’ve no experience, so can’t really comment. To my mind, TSM  enables you to drink, whilst campral won’t work with alcohol, so basically they’re working against each other.

There was a discussion on this forum a couple of years ago on campral and TSM together. Might be worth having a read. Just type acamposate (campral) and TSM in search and you should find it.

I do drink socially now and have no problems with doing so. However, I don’t drink spirits, don’t drink alone and never secretively

An alcohol detox with the right dose of medication, usually chlordiazepoxide   (Librium), or diazepam (Valium) should be relatively pain free. Once the alcohol is out of the system, then start campral.

The detox is the ‘easy bit’. However with nothing in place straight after, apart from will power, many people relapse. Campral helps by taking the craving for alcohol away.

Like any medication, it only works when taken properly. Two tablets 3 x daily and no alcohol. As I’ve said it takes about a week to start working, which is why it’s best taken during, or straight after a medical detox.

I must stress, I’m no doctor so this is only my experience with campral, but I do know, you don’t drink alcohol with campral, it defeats the object.