Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• chuck_a
• February 16, 2017

"Took the first pill yesterday and didn't have a beer until 4hrs later. Had one, then two, then three... then four. Uh oh, was one of the few that it wouldn't work for? Still, I was pushing a twelve-pack a day so four seemed like a pretty big accomplishment. But today is another story. I had my first beer at 5PM exactly 1 hour after taking the pill. I just dumped the second half of that beer in the sink. No obsessions. Not about drinking or eating or my ex-boyfriend (whom I recently had a difficult break with). It really is like a switch was turned off (or on, depending on how you look at it). One side affect is sense of taste is a bit off... but I don't feel like eating, so no biggie. Idk.. was it this easy all along?! Get to your doc asap."

• A...
• December 27, 2015

"I'd been drinking and getting drunk for 25 yrs. I've driven drunk to many times to count. By God's grace I never hurt myself or anyone else, or ever been pulled over by the cops. I recently lost what I think could of been the love of my life. My words were harmful when I got drunk. He had enough and won't except another apology from me nor my many attempts to contact him. I had to do something. Naltrexone is changing my life! I can't wait to get used to not overdoing it. I can't wait to be in a relationship without cursing him out due to me overdoing it. Hopefully I can get back the love of my life one day but for now I'm working on myself. I little bored and and little lonely but me being sober is worth it."

• jbirmi
• March 2, 2015

Vivitrol (naltrexone) "I took the Vivitrol for the recommended year, and have not had cravings and remain alcohol free (since 1-31-14). In some ways, I think it also helped me quit smoking. However after 13 shots I feel stiffer than I ever have, and I was wondering if anyone else shared this experience. Some days my shoulders are almost immoveable. I didn't feel this way before the medicine, and I was wondering if there was a correlation. It is actually painful to get out of bed some days."

• Westie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2020

"I got prescribed 50mg once a day, first day I took 25mg (I'm tiny and didn't want to try the full dose right away) I took it at 5pm incase it made me sleepy, well it did the opposite...wide awake all night, cold sweats, anxiety, did not sleep a minute. Waited a day then tried again in the morning with 25mg and it was great, I fell asleep fine, no side effects, no cravings. I have only had one beer in a week....I normally binge drink 2xs a week to the point of passing out. I'm going to up my dose to the 50mg in a few days to see how I respond to it."

• Nick
• March 1, 2020

Vivitrol (naltrexone) "I'm 25 years old about to be 26,  I have struggled with Heroin addiction and alcoholism and right now I'm on parole in the state of New Jersey. I keep trying to find every way possible to get over and get high or drunk anyway possible and pass my drug test I just want everyone to know that I am an absolute idiot and it sucks because sometimes I feel like there's no other escape for me and I just want to drink or do drugs but I definitely can't get away with doing drugs.  Anyway I figured let me take the Vivitrol shot and maybe I can still drink on it if you're wondering what it is like to drink on Vivitrol just saying my body feels drunk but my mind is absolutely miserable and I wake up in the middle of night feeling like someone stuck a needle full of meth in my neck and it's so hard to get back to sleep  - very poor choice of mine"

• PAC
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2014

"I started taking naltrexone 4 days ago, 25mg initially. Also taking Cipramil for depression/anxiety. I have found with naltrexone I rarely think about drinking, and if I do it is just a fleeting thought that passes whereas before the thought would take hold and that would be all I could think about until I got a drink. I haven't tried drinking on it and don't feel like I want too. I have had some side effects and not sure if this is because I'm taking Cipramil too, mainly feeling a bit spaced out. I took a full 50mg yesterday, after about an hour couldn't keep my eyes open. Today I'll try taking at night. So glad I'm on this medicine though, its helping with some obsessive compulsive disorder traits I have."

• drunk...
• February 2, 2014

"Naltrexone is awesome! I have been through hospitalizations, AA and rehab. Naltrexone took away 90% of my urges/craving for alcohol. My doctor also put me on Campral and now I am 100% free of urges/cravings. The only thing I don't like is that I can't ejaculate during sex. My doctor said that will go away. Your insurance will cover these meds as long as your doctor puts in a pre-authorization. I got control of my life back because of these medicines."

• Naladog
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2015

Vivitrol (naltrexone) "After abusing alcohol for many years I received the shot last week and cravings are minimal and pass quickly. Having relapsed early in sobriety before I feel that going to meetings and the shot will help prevent another."

• midge
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2017

"I started taking a daily dose 3 days ago. I poured myself a drink today as an 'experiment', and noticed right away the smell of the alcohol seemed different and was a real turn-off. I nursed the drink for almost an hour, which is almost unheard of for me (I'm a chugger). I finished the drink more out of obligation of the experiment than anything, and I never got the usual 'buzz' I'd get. Now I have a slight headache and I'm a bit tired. Honestly, if any future drinking feels like this then I can definitely see how this will curb my drinking as there is no reward anymore. And I've been trying to get control of this for 10+ years, therapy, counselling, rehab, AA, etc."

• Kazbot
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2012

"I've been dealing with alcohol dependence for over 15 years. Have tried counseling numerous times on advise from previous doctors but always returned to drinking. Finally found a doctor who identified my patterns as worthy of medication. I've been on naltrexone for 3 weeks now and I feel like I have my brain back, my thoughts are healthy, I can go out to see bands with my mates and not feel like I want a drink, I have fun and enjoy a sober night. This medication is a blessing and I would recommend it highly. Small side effect of constipation, but nothing a little extra fiber can't help with."

• just...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2016

"amazing. like anyone who's reading this page for help and guidance, i've been battling alcohol abuse forever. even with a wife and child and a great job that i love, i just couldn't stop. after searching the web for ANY new solution, i found naltrexone, and more specifically, the sinclair method. I'm at the end of my first week taking it. i've had drinks four times this week. took a pill an hour before drinking each time. i've had less to drink each time and tonight, i just POURED OUT two beers. absolutely unheard of. it takes the gilded edge off drinking... the thing that makes us want more and more and more? GONE. i'd have given it ten stars, but it has made me feel a little woozy. totally worth it though. GET IT NOW."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2017

"It's day 4 for me on naltrexone. First day I took 25mg and it made me a little sedated. Went to dinner, couldn't finish my wine, had a glass later knowing cold turkey is a bad idea. I was 1 to 1.5 bottle of wine drinker daily. Next night took a 12.5mg, had maybe 6 oz wine, next night 2 corona lights, and next night one beer. No cravings at all, no shaking. I had some irritability but I think that's to be expected. This drug has made is easy to wean off alcohol. Alcoholism killed my father and ruined my marriage. Both of us drank. No bueno. I am very vocal with family about my desire to quit. I tried a few times before and naltrexone is a godsend. Good luck all!"

• WineZ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2023

"This is the first time I have ever admitted all of this, and I feel free. I was losing control of my life to Alcohol - It actually does happen, it happened to me, and I finally can overcome it. I am beyond grateful that I took the step to try this medication because I feel the way I did before alcohol took possession of my brain. You do not realize it when it has its ugly reign over you. Naltrexone gave me the ability to get out of the toxic relationship I had with wine. Now, I can see what I was doing to myself, my family, and my friends. I am on the correct path, and I am so happy, free, and excited! Side Effects: I do not believe any side effects from the medication. I had some withdrawal symptoms at night (I am embarrassed to admit it). Surprisingly, the symptoms only lasted 3 nights and got better each night (chills, sweating, agitation)."

• Brad
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2019

Vivitrol (naltrexone) "My wife has been on Vivitrol for about 2 weeks and is still drinking heavily. She says it is helping her, but I don't see it. Paying $1200 for a shot that doesn't work is not sustainable. I was hoping for a silver bullet, but was unfortunately wrong. Good luck to everyone dealing with alcoholism one way or another. May have to look at something else, maybe look at Acamprosate"

• ArtT
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2017

"My husband used to drink daily, approx 9-15 standard full strength beers and binge drink anywhere from 1-4 times in a fortnight adding in rum,whiskey. He couldn't go one day without a drink. Has been on the pill form of naltrexone for 15 days now, has drank on 3 seperate occasions in this time (1 beer then stopped drinking) he has gone this far without counselling, no 12 steps etc as his counselling appointment is not for another week. I think this med is a Godsend for alcoholism, if someone wants to stop drinking then give it a go. He said it has helped him realise how much he would be thinking of alcohol and now his mind is clearer each day without the constant burden of alcoholism weighing him down. He is more easy going to be around now"

• Dougi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 10, 2020

"I was prescribed Naltrexone while in a Malibu Rehab and 2 years later, I believe this medication has changed my life and saved my life. I have recommended this to several friends and coworkers. After speaking with their doctors. They all have had positive life changing experiences. Cravings are gone and we all have our lives back."

• Kentish
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2017

"a MIRACLE cure it is ... 20 Yrs of alcohol dependency. In the last 10 Yrs a bottle of wine EVERY night 7 days a week, sometimes closer to 2 bottles. Day 1 of Naltrexone (25mg), mild side effects, tried my wine, had 1/2 glass, tasted great as always, just no desire to drink it. Day 2 25mg - less side effects, 1/2 glass of wine with no interest in more. EARLY days, but it's as if a switch has been turned to the OFF position in my head. It's nothing to do with will power, I'm not TRYING not to drink, but my brain appears to be just not telling me TO drink !!! For those that understand the science behind this medication, this will make sense."

• Ma Pe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2019

"Been on 50 mg Naltrexone (Nal) for 21 weeks for my excessive alcohol use. I was drinking 45+ drinks/week when I found The Sinclair Method. My liver panel was elevated. My drinking decreased by 10 drinks/week when I started Nal. The past 2 weeks, I had a dramatic drop in my drinking. 20 drinks during Week 19, 17 (!!) drinks during Week 20. Moderate drinking levels for an American woman is 14 drinks/week. I NEVER could have done this alone. I still have weeks where I spike and days I binge. It’s happening less and less. I do have cravings and I still drink between 5-6 days/week. But I think over 50% reduction in 5 months with virtually no effort on my part- that’s amazing. Medication has been cheap. $26 per 30 pills. I use a telemedicine doc who only does The Sinclair Method and Nal. They don’t take insurance to ensure your privacy. My latest liver panel showed a perfectly functioning liver! No side effects. By using Nal, alcoholics can avoid withdrawal and slowly reduce their drinking as the body and brain adjusts."

• PaulMo
• January 16, 2016

"I spent 2 years in and out of AA. It was miserable. I was not an "AA person" at all. In fact, AA meetings made me want to drink. My doctor put my on Naltrexone. It worked immediately. It actually worked too well. I no longer craved or thought about alcohol but I also didn't like the taste of food. I lost interest in sex. I lost interest in being physically active. I was spaced out constantly. It was not living at all. So I went off of Naltrexone and resumed drinking. When I was ready to try giving up alcohol again, I went back to Naltrexone BUT only took HALF a pill a day. This made a huge difference. I still feel as though I don't enjoy many things like before. But I don't have the option to drown myself in booze."

• Cjh
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 2, 2024

Vivitrol (naltrexone) "I’m 52 and a severe alcoholic/addict. Drank at least 24 beers or close to a liter of vodka a day. My physical and mental health were really bad. After seven days inpatient, I started receiving Vivitrol by injection every four weeks. I’ve been sober for 16 months. My cravings are limited to seconds. This drug is saving my life!"

• Scarlet
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2019

"I've switched from one addiction to another, to another, for years. My current and long-standing vice is alcohol. It's been about ten years of heavy drinking. I finally calmed down on hard liquor January '18, but it's become a usual routine to drink 10 - 12 beers every night for awhile now. I love to drink, but I am tired of it. I heard about Naltrexone for alcohol problems yesterday at my psychiatrist appointment, and decided to move forward with it. 15 minutes after taking it, my cravings we're dissipating. I'm ecstatic! I had three beers last night, and I was good. I didn't want or need anymore. Same thing today. Naltrxone helps kill that instant pleasure I get from drinking that was eventually sending me into blackout nights. I can finally just stop, and it's so much easier than doing it on my own like I've been trying to for years. So happy to have finally tried something. I'm excited to see where this leads."

• Ret
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2021

"I have been taking Naltrexone for 43 days and my cravings and mental obsession for drinking alcohol has stopped completely. I have been drinking to excess for over 15 years and every time I’ve tried to give up myself I still found it very hard to not want to drink but since taking Naltrexone I have to say giving up alcohol has been a breeze and I feel this is a miracle drug."

• Lizzy
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 20, 2019

"I started on the Sinclair method using naltraxone of my alcohol issues a year ago. My result is I have now been easily alcohol free for 4 months and it is not a hard process. I actually feel free from thoughts about alcohol. There is no reward from drinking. I had virtually no side effects. This drug Naltrexone saved my life literally."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2024

Vivitrol (naltrexone) "I have been struggling with alcohol pretty much my whole life. I tried Naltrexone & Vivitrol about 10 years ago and they didn't work. This time I'm taking Vivitrol under careful doctor's supervision. I'm embarrassed that I had not tried this again sooner. Vivitrol is saving me."

• Babs
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2019

"I have been taking Naltrexone since September. I became a strong drinker three years ago after witnessing my husbands suicide. I fell into the alcohol-trap a few days after that dramatic event. Now I take Naltrexone (50mg) as soon as I feel cravings coming. After a few hours it disappears. The time between taking the pill and the disappearance of the cravings is tough. But, after the chemicals of the pill kicks inn, I feel free in my head again. What costs me a great deal of effort is to get rid of the «habit» of drinking. With the pill, the cravings are gone, but the habit of drinking does not disappear. That is something that I am working on strongly. I would not have been able to fight the cravings without Naltrexone (50mg). I recommend it to anyone who suffers from an alcohol dependency, to those where the cravings dominate the mind from am to pm."