I was a daily drinker, snd have been for 15 years. I would go after work for a "late lunch" at least 3 times a week and could easily have 4 pints of an IPA and be pleasantly buzzed. I would go home, crack open a bottle of wine and polish it hrough the course of the evening. If I didn't drink during the day, I drank even more at night. There were virtually no days I didn't touch a type of alcohol. I don't smoke cigarettes. I occasionally partake in cannabis (edibles or the drinks).
I am on day 3 of Naltrexone 50 mg. All I can say is wow. It does exactly what it says it will do. First day i took one around 4PM on an empty stomach, an hour before getting home. I got home and immediately (out of habit) cracked a bottle of wine. I had two glasses. Nothing. No warm feeling, no buzz, no feeling of euphoria. I stopped. Had dinner and felt just off. Hard to explain the feelings, but I was just out if it. I felt slightly nauseous, stomach felt tight. I went to bed tossed and turned and eventually got about an hours sleep. I felt anxious and would shake each I woke up. It took forever to get back asleep.
Next day i got out of bed, went to work feeling groggy, but got through the morning with zero issues. Took my second pill around 1PM and went for a late lunch with a colleague. I was hungry, but at the same time I wasn't (hard to explain). I told him I was trying Naltrexone out. I drank my first pint and ordered some wings. I sipped my way through it (30 mins to finish it). Ate my wings, had a second pint. Again, I sipped it. My colleague lapped me and had his third (he's not a heavy drinker usually). I finished mine just before he finished his. Bartender asked if I wanted another.. "no thanks, just the bill". I could have easily ordered another, but why? I had no buzz, no desire for my third. Drive home I was agitated, very tired and nauseous. Got home and just flopped on the couch for sn hour, completely our of it. Not sure if it was due to lack of sleep, withdrawal, the Naltrexone or all three. No real appetite for dinner but made some tacos for the wife and kids. Had three, but one would have satisfied my appetite. No desire for any alcohol, zero. Wild. Fell asleep early because I was so tired. Woke up a couple times with that anxious feeling, knots in my stomach, nauseous.
Its now 4 AM, and I'm writing this wide awake. Keep in mind, I was never a good sleeper, often waking up several times a night. It's just the joltness and anxiety that are different. I'm feeling better now. Going to get ready for work and see where tonight takes me. It's Friday, so it will be a good test. Gonna try abstaining completely tonight.
This is not a miracle drug imo. It doesn't curb my desire for a drink. The fact that having a drink is pointless now (no buzz) is what makes it work. The side effects aren't great, but tolerable. I believe I just have to break the habit of my daily ritual. Instead of reaching for a bottle of wine, I grab water or pop. Well, at least that's the plan. They say mind over matter, and combined with Naltrexone, I believe I can do it. Read More Read Less