TSM, nalmefene, selincro - trying to control my drinking!!!
Posted , 15 users are following.
I'm really busy reading all I can all over here and the internet in general, about The Sinclair Method, Naltrexone and Nalmefene but as I took my first tablet last night, I thought I'd start my own thread about it too!
Background...
Female, 40 years old, "functioning" alcoholic as in I work part time, I have a husband, children, own a house, am an active member of the community where I live. I drink at home, evenings only but from 1 to 2 bottles of wine a night, every night.
In August last year I realised my units had crept up from 60-80 per week to a record high of 135 (I log the next morning on drink aware ap). I went to my GP and requested help, he told me not to stop drinking suddenly as I could be at risk of seizure, he referred me to Addaction. I met with them and told them my drinking felt out of control, the levels were crazily high and I was drinking on work days with no regard for what was happening the next day. She was brilliant, everyone was, so non-judgemental and kind. We set a date for a home and dry detox which I did in September. Took tapering does of librium for 7 days and then went onto acamprasate. Stayed sober for 7 weeks. Felt great, mornings were lovely, sleep was fantastic, sober days out with no headache or fog was brilliant but I felt like I was really missing out. I went to some support groups and people there were in different stages of alcoholic / moderating / absteining / cutting down / on serious drugs etc... Whole range of people and problems.
I started questioning "was I that bad?" "why can't I just drink moderately?" "What's wrong with me?" Anyway, long story short I started drinking again, first just at weekends, bottle of wine, then some days a bottle a night, some days off, eventually back up to a bottle a night, every night but not as high as before. All this time I'm still talking to addaction and being totally honest about my situation and spending all day googling alcoholic forums trying to figure out what to do. AA was at the back of my mind as my last resort because I have tried it a few years ago and found it to be a bit cult like. Its like "yes it can save you but it kind of takes over your life aswell".
When I stumbled across The Sinclair Method, C3 Europe, naltrexone and nalmefene I thought it was a joke. I'm still not 100% convinced it can really work, it sounded too good to be true.
Anyway, I picked them up yesterday and took my first pill at 5.10pm last night. I felt quite spaced out, it was almost like the feeling of coming up on a pill/trip from when I was a teenager! I was sat chatting to my children and helping them with their homework but I was feeling a bit "odd". Put them to bed and had some red wine about 7.00pm. First couple of glasses went down as quick as normal but then I slowed down. It was strange, I had the bottle next to me but I wasn't getting through it as quick as normal. I wasn't racing to get the 2nd bottle out, ready to swap it over. I felt really glad that I had an instant effect off it. I decided to drink as much as I wanted to so probably did a bottle and 2 glasses but almost had to force myself to finish the last glass before going to bed (stupid I know).
Woke up at 2am, went to the toilet which isn't that unusal anyway. But this morning felt a little "removed" from myself. Didn't want to eat anything. Ended up having a banana at 10am and now I feel OK. I'm going to take another pill tonight but drink a smaller amount (if I can control it).
I'll update later, would love to hear from anyone in a similar situation.
Sorry for essay length of post!
1 like, 71 replies
foreverfuzzy
Posted
Night 5
Took tablet as normal, sat down with whole bottle of WW next to me (mistake, probably should have left it in the kitchen). Drank it all, then drank the 1/3 bottle left from the other night, then drank the 1/4 bottle of red left from the other night. Horrid, horrid, horrid. I had a children's birthday party on the Saturday morning and there was no reason to get as hammered as I did. I had to chat to parents and be enthusiastic for children, which I managed as I am experienced at dealing with horrendous hangovers but it really was the worst I've felt in a week and I hated it. What this showed me is that the nalmefene is NOT a straight jacket. It will NOT stop you bringing a glass to your mouth and drinking if that is what you "want" to do. Lesson learnt.
Night 6
Took tablet, only had 2 glasses on wine, went to bed, not sure if tired from previous night but woke up Sunday feeling soooo much better : )
Night 7
Went out and bought miniature bottles of wine as I decided having part finished whole bottles sitting around wasn't helping me keep within my targets of less than a bottle. Bought 8, with the plan of drinking 2 a night which would be half a bottle. Took tablet, actually drank 2 downstairs and then smuggled 2 upstairs and drank those = 1 bottle of wine.
Night 8
Woke up annoyed that I'd drunk 4 minis but consoled myself with the fact that I could have done all 8, lol! Felt OK all day, took tablet in the evening, poured glass, had a sip and went upstairs to do something. Realised I really didn't want to go back down and drink. Felt myself thinking "do I have to?" Errr no, of course not! Told my husband to pour it out, went to bed.
Night 9
Took tablet 2 hours before as is the norm now. Drank 2 miniature bottles of wine = 1/2 a standard bottle, yay!!! I kept to my target, felt so pleased with myself this morning.
Analysis
Looking back over my drink tracking which I have done religiously for a year now, most weeks I was drinking more than 10 units a night 5-6 nights a week. In the last week I only drank over 10 units once. ONCE!!! And 2 nights were alcohol free and 2 nights were less than 5 units!!! This is really really good.
Onwards and upwards : )))))))))))
Am going to a group meeting on Saturday and then have some 1:1 counselling next Tuesday, am also working on increasing my productivity at home, sorting stuff out, restarting projects etc.. Feeling much more motivated.
odishon foreverfuzzy
Posted
Your ongoing updates will be such a help to so many people. Don't take this the wrong way but I'm actually glad you had your binge night and realised Selincro isn't a wonder pill but is a helpful tool in being more mindful about drinking. I experience similar situations to you but it has taken me nine months of Selincro to even get there.
I now find it much easier not to drink at all as when I do drink I can still binge. I have found it easier to buy one bottle of wine in the supermarket instead of panic buying two just in case (just in case of what I don't know!)
I'm also finding I enjoy wine a lot less and can't think of another drink I want instead of it so that makes not drinking easier.
The thing Selincro has given me is a stronger sense of choice. Previously I would think in the morning "definitely not drinking tonight" then mid afternoon "well I shouldn't drink but I could because blah blah" then by early evening having walked past several pubs on the way to the shops and seeing 'everyone else' drinking I would always buy wine thinking I'll cut down another day. Selincro has somehow stopped the previously strong 'have a drink' voice.
Keep up the diary!
kathryn43 foreverfuzzy
Posted
your doing great. Sel
kathryn43
Posted
wanted to say that selincro has worked well for me. Started takings it last Easter with some mild side effects .gradual reduction with main turning point last october. Reduced drinking to 10 - 14 units per week. Used to drink 1 - 1 1/2 bottles 4 - 5 nights per week! Haven't had a drink since New Years eve. Just a little concerned that I will suffer sides effects again whe I start it again! Anyway well done you 😀
IChooseLife foreverfuzzy
Posted
Short background, because I don't want to be boring, and my experience is similar in many respects to what many of you have said here. Basically, I've been in denial about my drinking for a number of years. I kept on telling myself that I come from a strong drinking family (unbelievable the forms denial can take!! ); that my drinking has not had a serious impact on "anything" (yeah, right)... but all the time there has been a little voice inside me which has been courageous enough to tell the truth - and that truth is, that it's time to start being mindful. My closest friend is probably dying of end stage liver disease, cirrhosis. She has been in dreadful denial for ages, and none of us had any idea how bad things really were. Now, tragically, it seems to be too late for her. I am gutted, and have been reading a lot about cirrhosis on line - which led me to this forum. And the discussions posted here were like a HUGE wake-up call - to me. I don't want to become that person. I have made a pledge to myself to start today.
I will contact my doctor and see if nalmafene is available where I live (I am an ex-pat). I hope it is, although from what I know, the addiction support services are nowhere near as thorough and easily available as they are in the UK. I had an honest discussion with my partner about this today (managed to get through that without panicking and having a slug), and he has pledged to help and support me in any way he can. (He does not have addiction issues, and tends to think that it's simply a matter of "self-discipline" - which hasn't exactly helped in the past, as I just feel even more ashamed. I am trying to get him to see things from another, medical perspective too).
Sorry for long and vague post. I am just beginning this, and will check back here regularly. I have a feeling that this is going to be very, very helpful for me. I wish you _all_ of you the strength to achieve your goals, forgiveness when you slip up, and much joy for embracing the life ahead.
foreverfuzzy IChooseLife
Posted
You might find after speaking to your partner that you feel more liberated. I spent years hiding from my partner how much I drank, justifying why I deserved to drink the amount I drank, deflecting the blame back to him because he smokes etc etc.... He has never understood why I have had to drink the amount I have even though he is a smoker so suffers a similar addiction, he just thinks I am not disciplined enough too. But since I "came clean" about 6 months ago to him, my GP, my closest friends, that I have "a problem" with alcohol it's actually much easier. I can be honest with them about if I've had a good week or a bad week, think of it as an ongoing process, it didn't develop overnight and it's not going to cure itself overnight but the more mindful you can be the further along you will get. Even if, at the beginning the only mindfull thing you do is religiously log the next day every drink you've had. I've found this to be so beneficial, especially now where my units are magically dropping right down. I really hope you can get nalmefene and it works for you.
In the past I could never imagine having just one or two drinks and stopping. I would rather be totally blotto or have nothing. Now I am having 1 or 2 or none and there is no craving, no yelling voice inside of me for "more, more, more!"
For info, this week I've only had 20.2 units, compared to 68 units last week and 95 units the week before. I think I'm one of the lucky ones that the medication seems to just "click" with but you might be too!!! Good luck : )))
Joanna-SMUKLtd IChooseLife
Posted
If you would like to message me where in the world you are, I will be able to get you a bit of information on medication availability in the country you are before you see your doctor. It really can help if your doctor understands that you have read into things a little and believe this might be an option that will work well for you. Likewise, you might read into it and realise that it wouldn't suit you, but it's very much worth having a good understanding of what you are asking for.
To message me either click the envelope image under my logo if it shows, or click the logo itself and it will take you to my profile and you can message me from there.
Also, read this short link to get you a brief understand of this treatment.
https://patient.info/health/sinclair-method-for-alcohol-use-disorder
IChooseLife Joanna-SMUKLtd
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IChooseLife foreverfuzzy
Posted
I've been relying on an alcohol buzz for so long now, that one of my big fears is going to be, "what do I do now?" What will it feel like? Before venturing out to social events I would often "need" to have a quick drink just to calm my nerves in meeting new people. To the question, "How am I going to manage *that* now?" I suppose I just have to have faith that I _will_ manage it - and I will have greater clarity - and greater memory! - of those events too.
I will also follow your suggestion and start an alcohol log. At first, when I read your posts, I wasn't sure if that was going to be the right solution for me - but I realise that putting it off is probably another form of denial. I also do not think I am a candidate for the AA approach, or for quitting completely - so I am very hopeful that I can do this - be mindful, and start living a healthier life. I have so much to live for.
Thanks SO much for the positive input. Please continue to post - it's a huge help.And good luck to you on your continued journey. I'll let you know if I can manage to obtain the medication where I am (Joanna has been helpful - see below!).
;-)))
IChooseLife foreverfuzzy
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nicole36330 foreverfuzzy
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Well I have to fall in with it as that is all they are offering me.I have a form for another set of blood tests but it was only when I got home that I saw they had written alcohol misuse in the comments box!
Joanna-SMUKLtd nicole36330
Posted
Firstly, as instructed by local health authority in the link that I previously sent you, this local alcohol service you attended is the appointed organisation in your area to prescribe nalemfene IF SUITABLE FOR YOU.
This does not mean that you can demand the medication even if the doctor views it as medically unsuitable for you, but it does mean that under the NHS Constitution you have a LEGAL RIGHT to be properly assessed for this medication by the organisation that your local health authority has authorised to do this. They cannot just say they don't use anti-craving drugs! And by not assessing you for nalmefene when you request it, they are breaking the law.
So, here are your options that I STRONGLY suggest you do.
1. Complain to the NHS using the complaints procedure on the NHS Choices website. Google NHS Choices complaints and it will be the first result returned.
2. Secondly, email your local MP. As strange as it sounds, your local government has been tasked with providing alcohol and drug addition are in your community. Explain that you have been refused an assessment for this medication, which you know is against the NHS Constituion and request that him or her intervene on your behalf.
3. Write/email the head of the local alcohol services in your area (you may need to ring them to get the contact details), include the link that I sent you, and request a reason as to why you have been denied a consulation for nalmefene. Remind them that they are the appointed organisation for supplying medicines for AUD, and have been appointed as such by the local health authority.
Remember, one you get that consultation you MUST be given a valid, medical explanation as to why the prescribing physician feels it is not medically suitable for you. Again, under the NHS Constitution, you have a right to the medication if medically suitable. They cannot just deny it to you on the basis of it not being their policy - the local health authority has made them the providers of the medication!
nicole36330 Joanna-SMUKLtd
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I just wish I had more self confidence
RHGB nicole36330
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ADEfree RHGB
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Joanna-SMUKLtd nicole36330
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Or the other option is for me to speak to someone you trust either by skype or phone and thoroughly explain to them what they need to knownd then they can liase with the alcohol services on your behalf.
nicole36330 Joanna-SMUKLtd
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Joanna-SMUKLtd nicole36330
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RHGB Joanna-SMUKLtd
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How would you find the head of local alcohol services in your area. When I Google stuff, most of the time it comes up with The Recovery Partnership (AKA Addaction).
Joanna-SMUKLtd RHGB
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My council has a 'Directory of Support' and then under the alcohol section it confirms the following below to give you idea what to look for. Although it doesn't quote a name, it does quote the organisations phone number and website (which I've excluded or this would need moderating) so you would be able to ring them to get the name of the person to write to.
(sorry this is a bit long but wanted to give you an idea of what you are looking for!)
Drug and Alcohol Action Team
The Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) is part of the Safer & Stronger Communities Partnership in North East Lincolnshire, which is responsible for reducing crime, disorder, reoffending and substance misuse.
The two main responsibilities of the DAAT are to co-ordinate local delivery of the national drug and alcohol strategies. This involves working with all the main agencies in North Eas Lincolnshire, particularly the council, police, Care Trust Plus and probation as well as a host of other voluntary and private organisations.
Drug and alcohol misuse treatment agencies are financed by the DAAT, using a budget made up from local and national funds, to provide a variety of different treatment services according to local need. It is then the responsibility of the DAAT to make sure those services represent value for money and deliver effective services. A local board at Chief
Executive level, and the National Treatment Agency, a specialist section of the NHS, will monitor the work of the DAAT, how it uses the money and how well the treatment services are performing.
RHGB Joanna-SMUKLtd
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