1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Alcohol Consumption

Concerned about antabuse

Posted , 10 users are following.

ursulauc62
ursulauc62

I took some antabuse 2 days ago which had been ordered from the internet.  I have just drunk about 2 units of alcohol, - within the last hour, as so far have no ill effects.  I really was just checking if it was the real thing, which I thought it was. My doctor wont prescribe me it. Has anyone else taken any antabuse which didnt really work?

0 likes, 48 replies

48 Replies

Prev
  • ADEfree
    ADEfree ursulauc62

    Posted

    Ursula -

    I'll vouch for the method that Joanna linked to. I'm using it myself with the US analog to Selincro, it's called Naltrexone. Used per NICE guidelines, Selincro can help you get your drinking under control. If you search on Sellincro here on Patient, you'll find topics posted by people who use it. 

    Using Naltrexone, I've cut my drinking from 12 beers per night to 5 per night, tops. I've been drinking daily for 30 years and it's really made a big difference in how much I drink and how I feel. 

    People that don't have Alcohol Use Disorder just don't understand that it's not something you can address with logic or reason. That's not the part of the brain it happens in and it literally cannot be accessed with those tools. Taken properly, Selincro can access that area in the brain and help you bring it under control, which will diminish the cravings. I have begun to lose interest in alcohol and that's exactly the effect that the drug is intended to have. I really haven't had to put much effort into it beyond that. 

    • ursulauc62
      ursulauc62 ADEfree

      Posted

      Ok thanks. I have heard of naltrexone, and even been offered it by the people at Lifeline, the alcohol and drug use centre I have gone to. I didnt take up the offer because basically I just dont want to drink every day, or even particularly every week, but when I do get a craving its very strong. Its often - but not always - a reaction to stress. The problem is convincing my husband that I dont need the disulfirum, because I have created so much disruption to our family in the past through my drinking that he is paranoid about me drinking again. I dont blame him. I still feel really guilty for some things I did - the dissapearing off for days so he reported me missing, and then turning up many miles away in an awful state, being attacked, ending up with some really doddgy people who robbed me, etc. He just wants me safe.  I didnt just want the alcohol - it was more complex than that - it was about running away from things I didnt like in my life as well. It hard to convince him I dont still feel like that.
    • ADEfree
      ADEfree ursulauc62

      Posted

      It might be good to get the alcohol under control, then see what's left over after the dust settles a bit. It sounds like you've been abstinent in the past and had some underlying issues to deal with, but the drink will only make that worse, as I'm sure you've seen. 

      It sounds like you're somewhat familiar with the idea of using Naltrexone on an "as-needed" basis rather than taking it daily to stay abstinent. The latter doesn't work very well in the long run, there are 2000 studies and reports that have found this. Using it on an as-needed basis has a different effect, as you take it only when the cravings are present. Used in this manner, your brain learns that alcohol no longer provides what your brain was looking for and you begin to lose interest. 

      For those who have relapsed multiple times, the origin of the cravings lies in a section of the brain that you can't reach with logic or reasoning or prayers. You have to show it that drink no longer provides the endorphin rush that it seeks. Until you do that, the cravings will return again and again and each relapse will likely be worse than the one before. The solution is fairly simple and is laid out in Dr. Eskapa's book. If you like, go to the CThree Foundation website and click on the link for the Options Save Lives forum. Someone there can get you a free copy of the book. You can also read the stories of people, daily drinkers, bingers, maintenence drinkers and how they responded to this method of using Naltrexone. It's mainly about getting back your choice of when and how much you drink, if you decide you want to drink at all. Some decide to stop drinking entirely, some drink only a few times a year, some just keep it below harmful levels. They're in the drivers seat, they decide. 

      I think once you get the overpowering haze of booze out of the picture and your husband sees that he doesn't have to worry about your drinking anymore, there won't be so much to run from and you'll have a much easier time sorting things out. 

      Ursula, it's not your fault that you drink the way you do. It's not about personal weakness or lack of conviction on your part. We're different from people that can simply put down the glass and stop. The problem needs a different approach.

      There. I've had my say, the ball's in your court. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance, I'll be more than happy to tell you what I know.

    • IChooseLife
      IChooseLife ADEfree

      Posted

      Thanks, ADEfree, for this clear and thoughtful summary! I really hope Ursula can try TSM, and see if it brings her any relief. Best of luck to all.
  • Misssy2
    Misssy2 ursulauc62

    Posted

    You are playing with fire...it may have just not built up in your system enough yet.  And believe me you do not want to get sick from this medication.  You will end in hospital....
  • Paper_fairy
    Paper_fairy ursulauc62

    Posted

    Antebuse is a horrible form of torture medication. I had it 14/15 months ago. I took it with naltrexone which I wasn't using in the correct way, I've since learned from medical professionals on this site. I took it through ADDACTION. I took it probably, can't remember, for about a month. It DOES NOT stop cravings, in fact it made my cravings worse. I had about half a bottle of white wine and within about half an hour my face became so flushed it actually hurt, my heart beat increase to the level I thought I was having a heart attack. I was violently sick for several hours. Thought I was dying. 

    It doesn't sound to me like you're taking the real thing. Maybe some don't react to it? But I've met many friends who experienced the same as me.

    i hadn't realised its a hundred years old nearly. So why when I got in touch with dr who referred me to Addaction, they said( and this is the manager) that the only drug they can prescribe for alcoholics is ANTEBUSE!!! He said all these new drugs I'm talking about, haven't been round long enough for them to prescribe them. 

    Its unbelievable. Maybe we should start some of petition!

    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd Paper_fairy

      Posted

      To say that they haven't been around long enough is a POOR excuse - more like they don't want to admit their knowledge level about the medication isn't good enough.  It isn't their job to say that as the medications have already been clinically tested and found to be effective.  Their job is to assess you and make a medical decision on whether an NHS approved medication is suitable for you.

      It is also against your rights under the NHS Constitution.  If you google 'NHS Consitution' you can read what rights you have.

      Some useful quotes from the Constitution....

      ''You have the right to access NHS services. You will not be refused access on unreasonable grounds.

      You have the right to receive care and treatment that is appropriate to you, meets your needs and reflects your preferences. ''

      ''You have the right to drugs and treatments that have been recommended by NICE for use in the NHS, if your doctor says they are clinically appropriate for you.''

      ''You have the right to be involved in planning and making decisions about your health and care with your care provider or providers, including your end of life care, and to be given information and support to enable you to do this. Where appropriate, this right includes your family and carers. This includes being given the chance to manage your own care and treatment, if appropriate.''

      ''You have the right to have any complaint you make about NHS services acknowledged within three working days and to have it properly investigated.''

    • ADEfree
      ADEfree Paper_fairy

      Posted

      "He said all these new drugs I'm talking about, haven't been round long enough for them to prescribe them."

      I'd ask for a cite on that one. Then I'd get out my "I'm not responsible for your internal policy" t-shirt. 

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.