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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by saw on September 7, 2004, at 9:37:44
I don't know anything at all about this drug but saw that it is for RX of alcoholism. Anyone that can offer some info?
Sabrina
Posted by SLS on September 7, 2004, at 10:02:42
In reply to Disulfiram or Antabuse for Alcoholism, posted by saw on September 7, 2004, at 9:37:44
> I don't know anything at all about this drug but saw that it is for RX of alcoholism. Anyone that can offer some info?
>
> Sabrina
Hi Sabrina.Disulfiram is a drug that stays in your system and only reacts once alcohol is ingested. When one drinks, the disulfiram and alcohol interact to cause the individual to become ill - producing nausea and vomiting. It is a treatment to create an aversion to alcohol. When you drink, you become violently ill and throw-up.
Another drug for alcoholism has recently been approved. It is called acamprosate (Campral). It helps to reduce the cravings for alcohol after one has already stopped drinking and become abstinent. Unlike disulfiram, it does not cause a toxic reaction.
- Scott
Posted by Philidor on September 7, 2004, at 19:22:34
In reply to Re: Disulfiram or Antabuse for Alcoholism, posted by SLS on September 7, 2004, at 10:02:42
Sabrina,
I've been on Antabuse for 8 months now since going on a drinking binge that scared me so much I decided to stop.
Antabuse has been around a long time. I guarantee you, it takes all the fun out of drinking. And it is much cheaper than much more expensive and supposedly better drugs like Rivia.
Now, the studies will tell you that none of these drugs for alcoholism, when they're actually tried on alcoholics, do much good. The main problem is that people just get tired of being sober, and quit taking the drug.
But for me, Antabuse is helpful because much of my drinking was done on impulse. I know damn well I shouldn't drink, but a sudden "what the hell!" urge would cause me to fall off the wagon. For me, Antabuse prevents that happening.
I can't go back to drinking unless I plan it, because the stuff stays in your system for a week or more even after you stop taking it. So for me, it does the job.
I now take other drugs that relieve the shyness that I treated before with the booze. But they don't make me drunk or crash my car or throw up on my shoes.
And after 8 months sober I have had the necessary time to break my old habits and replace them with healthier ones. So I've found the stuff helpful, although I don't intent to keep taking it forever. (It can cause liver damage in the long run).
Phil
Posted by partlycloudy on September 7, 2004, at 19:39:14
In reply to Re: Disulfiram or Antabuse for Alcoholism, posted by Philidor on September 7, 2004, at 19:22:34
A valuable post. I can't find a doc who takes my alcoholism seriously.
Posted by saw on September 8, 2004, at 1:34:26
In reply to Re: Disulfiram or Antabuse for Alcoholism » Philidor, posted by partlycloudy on September 7, 2004, at 19:39:14
Thank you all, now I must just get a prescription without telling my doctor about my drinking habit! :)
Sabrina
Posted by katia on September 8, 2004, at 2:24:05
In reply to Re: Disulfiram or Antabuse for Alcoholism, posted by Philidor on September 7, 2004, at 19:22:34
How much do you take? Do you have to stay away from ALL alcohol - even like in deodorant and so forth?
Posted by katia on September 8, 2004, at 2:24:59
In reply to Re: Disulfiram or Antabuse for Alcoholism, posted by SLS on September 7, 2004, at 10:02:42
This drug sounds good. Do you enjoy the first drink at all? And did you stop drinking from it?
> > I don't know anything at all about this drug but saw that it is for RX of alcoholism. Anyone that can offer some info?
> >
> > Sabrina
>
>
> Hi Sabrina.
>
> Disulfiram is a drug that stays in your system and only reacts once alcohol is ingested. When one drinks, the disulfiram and alcohol interact to cause the individual to become ill - producing nausea and vomiting. It is a treatment to create an aversion to alcohol. When you drink, you become violently ill and throw-up.
>
> Another drug for alcoholism has recently been approved. It is called acamprosate (Campral). It helps to reduce the cravings for alcohol after one has already stopped drinking and become abstinent. Unlike disulfiram, it does not cause a toxic reaction.
>
>
> - Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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