Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• 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 have 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."

• Syd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2017

"I started taking Naltrexone for the first time on April 26, 2017. I turned 50 this year and have had a secret battle with alcohol for 30 years. I have sought help through drug rehabs and my GP in the past, who have given me Campral and asked me to do some therapy (CBT). Unfortunately, Campral did absolutely nothing for me. I tried it many times and it just didn't work at all. CBT was a waste of time for me too. All through my struggle, I managed to keep a good job, raise kids, and not many people would have thought that each day I would stop at the bottle shop and buy a bottle of wine or two. All I can say is Naltrexone looks like the drug that has saved me. I am using TSM and it's day 4, and the thought of drinking makes me feel ill."

• Bab...
• 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 husband's suicide. I fell into the alcohol trap a few days after that dramatic event. Now I take Naltrexone (50 mg) 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 kick in, 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 (50 mg). I recommend it to anyone who suffers from an alcohol dependency, to those where the cravings dominate the mind from am to pm."

• T-R...
• March 28, 2017

"I never noticed the alcohol 'creeping' up on me. I've drank since I was 18 in college, but never at the levels I have been consuming it over the past few years. Social drinking led to legal problems, then home drinking became the norm. Home drinking eventually led to drinking a 15-pack of beer for all pragmatic purposes nightly. The first day on Naltrexone, it's impossible to believe. I didn't even drink 1 full beer. Just had no real interest in it. No real desire for another one later on. You just don't think about it. On a side note, you might end up craving some sweets, I reached for the gummy lifesavers. :P"

• Cla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2019

"5/10 as it is only day 7. Day 2, I was super dehydrated. Days 2, 4, and now - nauseous. No appetite today. I know I need to eat but am not hungry and am too tired to care. The worst is the extreme fatigue. On day 2, I woke up and could not open my eyes for a few hours. My doctor and other sources said this could last up to 6 weeks. I hope not because, while I am a fan of a good sleep, the ongoing level of fatigue makes me incapable of doing things I need and want to do. I have been told it will pass and to ride it out... I am a daily drinker, 8-20 standards, red wine and vodka. I have noticed the buzz is disappearing and it just tastes like, well, nothing really. So hope that is the naltrexone working and I will get to what TSM says is 'extinction.' I will try and update again. I wish you all well on your battle with alcohol/substance use disorder. It can be damn difficult. I hope you all find something/s that work for you."

• Isa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2018

Naltrexone "Life changer for me. My alcohol use and cravings were out of control and affecting everything important to me. The day I first took this shot, I drank way less and stopped obsessing with thoughts of drinking. This may have saved my life."

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2019

"Day 1, took 50 mg, felt a bit strange but then noticed cravings went away. Was a very hot day, I have had a cool beer in the fridge, and it's still there the next day. Going to go down to 25 mg as I think 50 mg may be a bit too much. I did notice a few issues sleeping. But then again, after drinking the other night, I was in so much pain and feeling like death after alcohol and depressed, the slight trouble sleeping on day one was nothing in comparison. I feel in charge of my life again already like a lot of other reviewers have explained. :) Dr. Jordan Peterson recommended it in one of his online videos, works great with minimal side effects. It's always tricky taking a prescription, this would be my first in my life, never wanting to rely on a pill. But hey, it is working. After all, alcohol/ethanol is a drug too, the damage that was doing to my life and those around me was not something I wanted to put up with anymore."

• exv...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2017

"At age 23, I quit drinking for fun and started drinking to medicate. For the next 14 years, I hardly went a day without a drink (half a fifth a night on average). I honestly didn't think I would ever be able to cut back, let alone quit. After getting an ultimatum from my girlfriend, I went to a doctor and was given Naltrexone and Wellbutrin. I didn't set any goals or give myself any rules. When I tried to drink like usual, I found none of the joy, only headaches and a general miserable feeling. Six months later, I haven't bought a fifth in three months, and the thought of drinking makes me ill. It's been a miracle for me."

• no...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2017

"Been fighting alcoholism and eating disorders for over 25 years. If I don't drink, I binge/purge. Every day. I obsess about alcohol/food. Or did until I started with a half a pill yesterday afternoon. Like a switch, my cravings were turned off. I even walked by the liquor store to 'tempt' myself... nothing... from what I have read about similar reactions to this drug, I am hopeful for the first time that I may have found an answer. I just wonder why it has taken so long for a doctor to prescribe this? If you are considering this, please go now and ask for a prescription before any more of your life is wasted!!"

• Alc...
• August 20, 2013

"I believe this medication works to shut off the reward system and also perhaps cravings. It helped me stop drinking for five weeks, only problem is you must have the desire to stop drinking to keep taking it. If you do take it, it definitely helps by stopping the high of drinking, perhaps to the level of someone who never really liked the taste of alcohol or could stop at 'just one' instead of 'just one more.'"

• Lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2024

"I had been drinking daily for a few years and couldn’t stop. I drank first thing when I woke up and typically had to sneak a few drinks throughout the day to keep from withdrawing. I was considering rehab but had a number of obstacles that made that feel impossible. I finally asked my doctor for help and got on naltrexone. I worried so much that it wouldn’t work for me. Within 3 days, I didn’t feel the craving for a drink for the first time ever. Having a drink or two on it gave me no satisfaction at all, so I stopped. I have now been sober almost exactly two years. This drug truly saved my life and my relationship. I can say I’m the happiest I’ve ever been and have no desire to go back. I only took it for a few months and it turned out that was all I needed, but I would have stayed on if necessary. I only had a few side effects like disrupted sleep, but that was so minor in comparison to what it did for me."

• ZeC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2017

"I'm from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After 2 years of heavy drinking and 20 years with periods of mild consumption, 20 drinks only on weekends interspersed with periods of drinking every day, I finally discovered this drug. It's incredible. I try to drink 6 or 8 Heinekens, my usual quota, but it's impossible. After the first, I order some food, like a hamburger, and stop drinking after the meal. Go home, clean the house, and sleep. Sleep very well. My obsession with casual games stops too. I don't care anymore about others' opinions, social anxiety reduces, and life goes on. I see the problems I need to fix after two or three years of heavy drinking. A lot of problems with banks, family, girls, and my daughters need my presence and dedication."

• Win...
• 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)."

• Ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2016

"I fell into alcohol dependency a few years ago to try to cope with a bad marriage - was drinking up to two bottles of wine a night. Doctor put me on naltrexone to help me get control. I lost the desire to drink on the first day of taking it. It's been two weeks now, and I'm doing well. It's a great first step. The only side effect I've noticed is that I'm very tired, but it seems to be getting better. Now to deal with the emotions and other stuff that led me to drink in the first place. Good luck to you all."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2018

Naltrexone "I've been an alcoholic for the past 35 years. I'm 52, pretty sad. I tried every single way to stop, a year here, 6 months there. I thought I could just have one drink, but it never ever worked. I tried every which way I could, but it always rounded up to the same thing: drunk, staggering in a hospital or mental institute. I finally made the choice to get Vivitrol, and it was the best thing I could have ever done. I only had one shot so far, and the craving, which I couldn't get rid of, is gone. It's gone, one shot. I can't wait to get my second shot, it's a miracle. Thank you, Vivitrol, and for anybody thinking about it, seriously go for it, it's worth your life. I didn't get any side effects whatsoever. God bless us all."

• bab...
• January 22, 2016

"I am 43, been drinking since I was 13, really heavily-16 beers a day or so the last 3 years. I've been trying to not drink the last month. For the same reasons most probably do, I'm about to lose everything, and I just got tired of feeling like shit. I made it about 10 days and couldn't take the internal debate anymore and gave in. Been sober for 3 days, but still, it's tiring constantly fighting yourself. Took this about 9 hours ago. I am not having any thoughts or urge to drink at all. I am still scheduled for rehab in a week or so. I'm surprised it worked that quick, the doctor said it would, though. I do feel really tired, though."

• Rox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2018

Naltrexone "I had been drinking heavily for about 4 years. I had to go through withdrawal at a hospital just in case it was medically necessary, I was really far gone with alcohol. After detox, the doctor suggested Vivitrol-an injection every 30 days. Took my first shot 11/13/2018. I have not had any cravings for alcohol since. Scheduled to get another one in December. I hope my success with Vivitrol continues. I’ve read through a lot of Vivitrol reviews for alcohol on this website, and most of the reviews seem similar to mine."

• Bra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2019

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 $1,200 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."

• Tjr...
• September 21, 2016

"If I could give this a rating of 10,000, I would! It has saved my life! I was drinking 4 liters of vodka a week. I started taking naltrexone, and almost immediately the cravings stopped! I've been sober for 3 weeks! I'm so grateful for this medicine... Run, don't walk to your doctor if you are struggling with alcohol addiction and try this!"

• j22...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2017

"Started 2 days ago. Did not drink yesterday. Urge was markedly lower. The urge to drink today is practically non-existent. I think I could totally abstain from alcohol if I want, using this. It's like a switch has been flipped. That insane, unsatisfiable craving has been diminished quite a lot. Very pleased."

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

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."

• sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2012

"I have been an alcoholic and chronic relapser for over a year. My cravings never allowed me to put my 12-step program to work. But after a week on Naltrexone 50mg, my cravings have totally disappeared. NOTE: I still think should I have a drink, but my desire to drink says nope, I really don't need one. This medicine coupled with support is a win-win for me. I thank God for this medicine to allow me to decide I don't want a drink vs. making me throw up and be 'punished' for drinking."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2019

"I started naltrexone 25 mg (for my dependence on alcohol) yesterday around 11 am. I was hit pretty hard with nausea, feeling spaced out, a headache, and tiredness. Part of this was probably a hangover from 2 plus bottles of wine the night before. Also, I took it on an empty stomach. I just rested and felt better around 2:30 pm. My doctor told me to taper off drinking and not to just stop. So I got a glass of wine around 4:30 pm, and when I took the first drink, I didn’t get the pleasure rush. I got a second glass and couldn’t finish it. This is really unusual because normally I finish the bottle and a lot more. I also slept really well all through the night. Today I’m going to eat before I take it and hope the side effects lessen. I would like to take it at night, but I really need it to be effective to help with the drinking. Does it still work if you take it at night?"

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2018

Naltrexone "I'm on my 4th month of Vivitrol. I haven't drunk at all. I only think about drinking again when emotionally triggered. I think the drug is doing its job and will continue. I am tired and depressed, but that's just part of this whole cleanup process. A+ Vivitrol."

• Anonymous
• November 10, 2016

"My partner has been an alcoholic for over 10 years. I have cared for him for the last 2 years and have tried everything. I thought an antidepressant was going to be the answer, along with therapy. Nothing could stop his drinking and lying. I had given up hope. I took him to the GP and asked for medication to stop him from drinking. He started naltrexone 4 days ago. He takes it at night, and it really knocks him out, but it is amazing. He is like a totally different person. He is happy. No cravings, no drinking. The evil cloud of addiction is gone. I am under no illusion that there is work to do to address the underlying issues, but for the first time, he is free to live life and remain sober. Life-saving."