Medication/treatment to stop alcohol cravings?

[AlcoPaul]

I am trying to beat my drinking problem at the minute. A big trigger for me is feeling nervous in social situations - this makes me drink far too quickly. I have found Valium to help with this, but I don't want to swap one addiction for another! I have tried a natural remedy called Kudzu, but it didn't really help.

Does anyone know of any (legal) drugs or natural remedies that help curb alcohol cravings, or even some that help relaxation?

Are there any (legal) drugs or natural remedies that limit or neutralise the effects of alcohol?

[blondiebear]

Antabuse makes you very sick if you drink. It is used in some situations. But it also has some strong side effects.

My doc has given me a non addictive medicine for when I'm freaking out. She made a point of giving me one that is not addictive. I'm an alcoholic in sobriety.

[AlcoPaul]

I've heard of a drug that makes you sick if you drink but didn't know what it was called until now - thanks!

What is the non-addictive medicine that you mentioned? (I understand if the rules of the forum don't allow you to tell me).

[AlcoPaul]

Actually, I've just realised how rude it was of me to ask you what that medicine is - I do apologise!

[blondiebear]

Risperdal is what my psychaitrist prescribed. It doesn't get rid of the emotions, it just makes me feel drowsy and stupid.

Risperdal is an antipsychotic. As is the case with many psych meds, they have found or are finding other things the medicine can help, things besides the problem it was developed for. This is called "off label" use.

Talking about psych meds is fine. So long as I don't encourage abuse. I can't tell you that "this is the way that you should do it." Instead I offer it in the form of "this has worked for me" if you see the difference?

I'd never heard of Kudzu being used as a natural remedy. What part of the plant is used?

Feel free to ask any questions you want or need to. I'm not shy about my sobriety.

Susan

[consequential]

well done for wanting to quit
i remember having an infection and i was told if i drank with the drug id end up in hospital so i couldnt drink at all and i was dying for a drink
cant remmeebr it though and as it was an anti boiotic obv u couldnt take it full time
not much help am i
its hard when u go out i know that feeling the nerves drinking too fast
i have tried risperadal for differnet reasons and to be honest u couldnt drink with it or you would be found dead
it knocks you for six but its an anti phscy as stated and doubt they will prescribe for drink related stuff but im not a doctor so cant say
i think ppl have to come off drink cold turkey in rehab cos my brother went to rehab and when he went in first he only got meds for the first week then it was all down to him
he didnt last though he couldnt handle it
im not saying you need rehab i apologise dont get me wrong im just musing on what happens to ppl
i think it has to be done solo
but then im no doc but thats as far as i know
good luck mister

[AlcoPaul]

I know that users of narcotics are able to drink loads of alcohol because for some reason the narcotics prevent them from getting drunk. I wish there was a legal drug that had that effect! Clutching at straws here

Kudzu has been used in research to see if it can curb cravings for alcohol. Some believe that it can help heavy drinkers to cut down. Here's a link to an interesting article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7884540/

[LaraIrene]

thanks for sharing..

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