Vivitrol and Campral have less side effects. Vivtrol you can do a shot every 30 days. Campral is a pill that helps with cravings.
Never heard of either of those! Thank you! I’m definitely going to talk with my Doctor about it tomorrow and see what’s the best fit for me.
1 Like
It doesnt make you crave it any less, it just makes you deathly Ill if you drink while on it. Like any good alcoholic, I had to test it out and drink after taking it and it was horrible.
I agree it can help on the beginning but it’s best used with a program of recovery.
4 Likes
Yeah I believe that’s what will really help is knowing that if I do decide to do it there’s going to be a major side effect.
1 Like
Yes I have many times. It’s not something I would be doing if i didn’t feel it was 100% nessecary.
As @Draynewe mentioned, it is a negative motivator. That’s why we need a positive program to maintain sobriety after we get physically separated from alcohol. Check out Resources for our recovery for a great listing of ideas.
2 Likes
Those are best used with a program of recovery. When I was taking Campral I was doing an out patient program and going to groups. It really helped me.
Sarah, what was it that you didn’t like about the TS Zoom meetings? I’ve been to a few myself and found everyone very friendly. I specifically liked getting to know people and cultures from all over the world. I wish I could attend more often.
Sometimes one has to bite the bullet and do what one fears the most.
For you that’s stopping drinking. You are looking to use a proscribed drug to do what you can do mentally if you just put your mind to it.
This place is full of information on how we can positively change our mindset, the resources that are there to help.
The one thing that I can see that’s missing is an open mind. A willingness to work at it. So you think taking a tablet will work. But you still have to work on the mindset. Which is where support groups come in. Be it AA, SMART, Dharma.
I would ask about Naltrexone too when you see the doc today. When I had my last relapse I wanted to go on Antabuse, but they would not give it to me as they thought it would be deadly due to how I drank. Enter Naltrexone. I would give anything to know about this stuff 30 years ago. My life could have been so different. It’s not a miracle, you still have to work, but it helps with cravings and counteracts the effects of drinking. I finally feel that I stand a chance after over 30 years trying to get sober.
I will say I’m also on anti anxiety meds and in therapy as well. But I don’t ever want to give up the naltrexone 
1 Like
And I completely agree with that, like I said everything works different for others. I’ve been to countless AA meetings, had several sponsors, it’s not due to lack of willingness at all. We all have problems here and I’m 100% aware of what it’s I need to do. I know that a pill isn’t going to somve my problem, I mean if that was the case we all would be doing the same thing. I appreciate yoyr advice, just wanted opinions of others who have been on this. 
Have a good day!
1 Like
So you shouldn’t say to someone they don’t have an “open mind” you have no idea what anyone goes through or what they feel. So if anyone of y’all want to be negative and not give your OPINION of the medication then please just refrain from commenting. It’s truly as simple as that.
Yes I am starting therapy next week I believe that will help and to also share my progress as well. Thank you for your advice I will definitely bring that up to the Dr this evening! 
1 Like
Never tried antabuse but alchohol always had some major side effects.
The hangovers, stuff I’d do and regret, feeling like crap physically and mentally, getting in all sorts of trouble, spending a lot of money, rage, unrest…the list can go on and on…
I used it in early sobriety and still keep some around in case I am going into a situation where I feel unsure of maintaining control. As others have said, it won’t fix the problem but it is a good temporary bandaid. Sometimes you have to stop the bleeding first, before you fix the rest. Good luck.
2 Likes
Well I’m sorry my advice wasn’t appreciated. I’ve not used anything really apart from this app and hard work. And I’m two years sober and loving the life. But as you say, each to their own.
All the best.
And I didn’t think I was being negative.
1 Like
Hey- I was on Antabuse for the first 8 months of Sobriety. It was a safety net for me but didn’t help with any craving. As has been said above until I got a program of recovery nothing helped. Below are the reasons I came off Antabuse- this is saved on the notes on my phone
Antabuse- why I want to stop?
- I’m spiritually better in my recovery
- The compulsion to drink has been removed
- I feel as giving it up is the next stepping stone in my recovery
- I’m doing daily prayer and readings which focuses me on the next 24 hours
- I’m following the 12 step programme in my day to day life
- I offer service at my home group and have friends and support in AA
- I have friends and support via SoberTime
- Over the past 6 months I haven’t needed or wanted a drink
- Thinking about drinking makes me very anxious
- I never want to go back to the life I had before and don’t want to drink
- Stopping the tablets will be another journey in my recovery and will show I have the willpower and knowledge to not need a drink again
- If I really still wanted to drink I’d just stop taking my tablets and drink like I did in the past- I haven’t wanted or needed to do this
- I’ve been honest with my partner and my recovery groups about my plan on Antabuse
- I am willing to hand this over to my higher power and continue to work hard
- I will pray about this
- The tablets are still on my repeat prescription and I have a small stock so if I need to start taking them again I will do
What I’m worried about?
Antabuse is a safety net so if I decided I ever wanted a drink I physically couldn’t and would have time to change that decision and take action.
I will keep a stock for high risk occasions, but only take if I think I need them (holidays etc…)
Stopping Antabuse is making me anxious as I never want to go back to drinking
4 Likes
I still have Antabuse in the cupboard and I haven’t needed or wanted to use any 
Where are you from? In 
they are quite hard to get on repeat prescription due to the potential risks if you do drink… I had them prescribed through the alcohol recovery treatment team
1 Like
I did before I started taking it but that was it.
I had to have a two weekly meeting with the alcohol team though and I’d get a two week script then. This carried on for 3 months before they’d do a repeat prescription
1 Like
How did it go at the doc?
1 Like