Generic Name: Disulfiram for Alcohol Use Disorder (disulfiram)
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I'm 66. I stopped drinking when I was in my early to mid-30s, helped by a psychotherapist. Went back to drinking 4-5 years later. Stopped again, went back. Etc. Went through another course of one-on-one therapy with no real results. Entered rehab (outpatient). Stopped again for a while. (Hated rehab.) Started drinking again after a few years. Entered group therapy with an emphasis on AA. Didn't work. (Hated AA.) Two months ago, I went on Antabuse, and the results have been GREAT. I take one dose in the mornings. Over time, the urges have diminished; now they only pop up ever so often. I feel like I have a new life. Yay, Antabuse!"
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I want to give my experience with this drug. I had been in and out of AA, NA, and those programs for years. I even went to rehab. Almost died in a serious accident, and still I ended up drinking again, more than before. Nothing worked, my self-will, the help of others (who eventually lost all trust in me), my involvement in groups, or studying literature on sobriety - nothing worked until I got a prescription for Antabuse. I have been able to stay sober for the longest period I have in years. And some very emotional things have come up since I've been on it that always used to drive me to drink, but I was forced to face the problems head-on and learn to cope in a different way. Not to say it hasn't been hard. But it's such a relief."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I have been to AA and did not find it effective. Please know, I respect anyone in the program. I found myself craving more after meetings and noticed that many attendees were drinking between meetings. I just didn't get it. I have hidden my alcoholism and felt ashamed. I have noticeable binge episodes once a year or so, including instances of driving drunk, falling, and making bad decisions. I used to think that as long as I had a successful career and didn't go to jail, I was 'good at it'. I found a doctor I could trust and confided everything to him. He recommended Antabuse. I was scared at first, feeling like it would be a crutch and a sign of complete failure. However, I am so grateful now. I feel like it gives me a barrier in the decision to drink. My 'maybe I can drink' mentality has transformed into 'no way!'"
Antabuse (disulfiram) "This medicine is a Godsend. I've been in recovery for 4 years, pretty much done it all: AA meetings daily, 33-day detox/rehab, IOP, 1:1 therapy at an addiction center, prescriptions for naltrexone and Campral. Two years into treatment, I still wanted to drink. My husband was desperate and suggested Antabuse. I researched it on the internet and was willing to try anything. My primary doc knew I was crazy, so he prescribed it. I took it for 3 months, drank once on it... thought I'd die, and that was the end of that. After 3 months, I wasn't obsessing about drinking any longer, so I stopped taking it daily. I carry it with me at all times. Take 1 here and there so I never know if it's in my system. No side effects. This is not a magic bullet. You MUST have an honest desire to stop drinking."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "Since I have started on this medication, I have felt very few cravings to drink. It is great as a deterrent, so I have not even bothered to test any reaction to drinking. The thought crossed my mind just to try, but the thought of being horribly ill just to see if I would be didn't seem like the brightest idea! Anyway, my main reason for posting this is to say that unlike many of these posts, I have suffered some side effects. I've struggled a little with sexual performance and have had some rash and acne issues. I will visit the doctor to see what can be done about these because I don't want to stop this medication. It works great. I am forty-two and have been abusing alcohol for at least twenty years or so. Almost seven weeks clean!"
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I was referred to a psychiatrist after having mood swings that caused me to have suicidal thoughts. Having a drinking problem for several years did not help it. I would have one, maybe two bottles of wine every day of the week and not even have a hangover in the morning. I have tried acupuncture to help me stop drinking, but that did not work. Taking Antabuse was my last resort because I knew deep down if I went to AA for help, I would try to cut back but would soon slip back to my bad habits. I have been taking Antabuse for two weeks and have found that I don't even want a drink, my life seems much brighter now and full of hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and it gets brighter every day."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I was drunk or hungover for over 30 years, and had every bad experience, including putting my pistol in my mouth a couple times. The intense physical craving, cramps, shaking, anxiety left me in the freshness of the brave new world. After 30 years of feeling completely sick, it's hard to say if this medicine has any side effects at all. It's been a life saver for me."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I don't see a lot of posts on this, but if I can reach 1 person, then it's well worth it. I was a heavy drinking alcoholic for 10 years. Went to detox and was on 250mg for 102 days. Had to stop taking as a precaution for knee surgery. 5 days later I figured, why not see what happens. Passed the ethyl alcohol on skin test. Passed the use regular mouthwash for 3 days test. At the end of day 5, I cracked a beer on an empty stomach and sipped slowly. After 1/3 of the beer in 10 minutes, I could feel my face flushing and could see the itchy red hives on my forearms. That was enough for me. Poured the rest down the sink and will start taking again after the surgery. Alcohol destroyed my life once. No way I was going to let it happen again."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "Well, I had tried everything to beat the demon booze. Tried Nalmefene, Campral, and Naltrexone medication, went to countless AA meetings, etc. But nothing worked. Then I did some research and saw this medication, and thankfully my doc prescribed it. I have been on it for 6 days and stupidly enough decided to see what would happen if I had 1 can of lager on the fourth day. I managed to get through half the can, and suddenly the symptoms began. Flushing, my throat felt like it was swelling, thought my heart was going to pop out of my chest, it was pounding so much, and then I experienced uncontrollable shaking like Shaking Stevens. Then I burst into tears. Felt awful! This tablet is a brilliant deterrent."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I have been to rehab twice in three years. I went to an addictionist and was prescribed Antabuse. I didn't get it filled due to the cost & fear of side effects. I made a deal with myself that if I messed up and drank, my 'punishment' would be getting it filled. I messed up once, and said ok, that was a mulligan. If I mess up again... Which I did. So I got it filled. More than two weeks later, I am still sober! I am taking half pills every 3-4 days, keeping it in my system without it costing so much. Zero side effects, except for being SOBER! Someone drank in front of me on Thanksgiving. Normally I would be rabid to have some as well. With Antabuse, I couldn't be bothered to care or crave it."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "Took Antabuse on and off for 3-5 years. Finally, I got 3 consecutive years sober, and I quit the pill. I have been sober for over 20 years now. I wonder why I ever drank and have had a good life now with a lot less worry."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "Knowing how sick I'll get makes it possible to not drink. But the drowsiness side effect is unpleasant. All in all, if you really want to quit drinking, this may help you. It broke a 30-year habit for me, although I've had to repeat a few times. Quit telling yourself it's about willpower, get some help that WORKS!"
Antabuse (disulfiram) "This has been a miracle. After over 30 years of drinking, I will have my longest sober period that I can remember, thanks to this medication. I have 37 days now and can't possibly drink for at least another 2 weeks to be safe from possible side effects, so I definitely will beat my 6-week record. No side effects that I have noticed, and learning what to do with myself sober gradually. The medication is expensive, though ($237.00 a month), so if I didn't have insurance, I probably would have trouble paying for it, but then again, I haven't spent money on alcohol, so for me, it more than pays for itself!"
Antabuse (disulfiram) "Best thing I've ever done, tried every other possible way to stop & this is the only thing that has broken my nine-year daily drinking habit. I couldn't recommend it highly enough to anyone out there that just can't stop. I take it at night as it makes me drowsy but suits me as it now serves as a sleeping pill as well, a bit dizzy & nauseous in the morning but early days. I take 1/2 tablet - 50mg every second night."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "This drug literally saved my life. I had a routine where after work every day, I would go to the liquor store, get a 40 oz and knock it back before heading to the bar. I did this for years. When I finally hit a wall (it's a long story), I saw a few different healthcare professionals, one of whom was a psychiatrist, and he prescribed me Antabuse. He explained it to me very well and asked me if I would try it, and I agreed. The thing about it is, this drug forces you to change your habits. It gives you the time you need to think things through and make different decisions. While I was taking Antabuse, I had to take the time and thought required to figure out other things to do with my time. It was a process. IT WORKED. Sober 9 yrs."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I had allowed to let alcohol take my life from one that most would kill for and now into the hell I knew 6 months ago. I had lost just about everything so that I could drink alone and keep getting that feeling feeling of ease that alcohol brought me. If I had not been prescribed Antabuse and started taking it, I am confident that I would either be dead or in jail right now. I have been taking the medication now for 6 months and have not drunk. This miracle medication combined with AA and spiritual fellowship have very quickly turned my life back in the direction that it should have been going for the past 2 years. I have suffered no major side effects other than a lack of cravings."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I suffer from depression and anxiety, and want to drink to get relief. I didn't find the help I needed in AA, and truthfully, always knew that drinking was an option, so I would drive myself crazy... to drink, to resist drinking, and on and on. So, I have been getting help through a psychiatrist, a therapist, and a depression educational support group, and am learning new ways to cope for my depression and anxiety. Taking Antabuse helps me resist the urge to take the alcohol way out of my discomfort, and use my new tools. I have been taking Antabuse for 10 days now. I take it at night and it helps me sleep better. I have no other side effects, and I've eaten Vinaigrette dressing and Catsup with no problems."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I have been sober for just over a month. I had been sober for a month before (in some cases many months) but this time feels different. In my most recent bout with alcohol, the quantity I consumed and the frequency of my drinking episodes increased tremendously. My cognitive function and physical/mental state had taken a downward spiral. I wasn't able to keep a job or facilitate healthy relationships with those around me. I spoke to my doctor about Antabuse and after some reluctance, was able to obtain a prescription. I have been faithful about taking the pill every day and cravings have been minimal. Knowing that the option to drink isn't physically possible has been the chief contributor to this attempt at sobriety."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "My boyfriend has been on Antabuse for a few months now, and for the most part, just the thought of drinking scared him. He takes this pill daily at the same time. Now, after witnessing one of the sickest people I've ever seen due to one drink while taking this medicine, I'm scared for him. He literally was bright red, his body was on fire, and the sickness he felt was something he had never felt before and never wishes that he had drunk. He was in massive pain. This drug works wonders, but under no circumstances, no matter how much stress you have in your life, DON'T DRINK while on this medicine. You have absolute helplessness over the situation. There isn't an antidote."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I have been a chronic combination binge/maintenance drinker since I was about 20. I have quit drinking many times for a few weeks, and even six months on two occasions. But nothing, including AA and Campral, worked to keep me away from alcohol. After five years of asking my wary doctor to prescribe Antabuse, he finally did. I have been taking it for two weeks, every morning when my head is clear and logical thinking is in top working order. That is the key for me, because later in the day is when I would normally start to entertain the idea of drinking, as a 'reward'. I have had no side effects, and am going to continue taking Antabuse. It simply removes the option to drink, at least for people who are not self-destructive."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "Have tried to give up many times in the past but just haven't been able to do it. Really didn't like AA and sheer willpower just doesn't work. Plus, I just love to drink! I've tried cutting back or just drinking on weekends but I always end up going back to an everyday habit. I started Antabuse and have found it the most effective way to stop. The fear of having a drink far outweighs the desire to drink. I still have cravings and have gone for a few days without taking it, thinking I'll have a drink in a week but then I always have a moment of strength and end up popping that pill! This buys me at least another week. I started on Campral 2 weeks ago to try to curb the cravings. It doesn't appear to be working but I'll persevere. 45 days!"
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I am 35 years old. Been drinking alcohol since about 19 or 20. With work and education stress, my alcohol abuse increased year after year. I am a highly educated professional that has been fired from two 6-figure jobs for being drunk at work. Tried rehab and AA - it didn’t take. Finally, I met the love of my life and knew it would end if I didn’t quit. The fear of getting sick is enough to keep me from drinking on Antabuse. Highly recommend. 30 days sober."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I am amazed that this medicine is not prescribed more often. It WILL make you stop drinking as long as you take it. My wife gives me my medicine daily. If you really want to STOP drinking, ask your doctor to give you a prescription."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I had been drinking solid for 2 years. From the moment I woke up until I passed out. I went into detox for 7 days, and even when the doctor told me that for a 30-year-old girl, my liver was very inflamed, I still came out from detox and drank again. After 2 weeks of this, I finally decided enough was enough and I started attending an alcohol problems clinic and started Antabuse. I have been sober now for 6 weeks today. Hooray! I never thought I'd see the day when I'd make it 6 minutes, never mind six weeks without a drink. I know I have a long journey ahead of me, but I'm getting stronger. Trust me, it's the only way to stay away from drink, and the cravings do go away. Now it's time for me to live my life sober."
Antabuse (disulfiram) "I've been on disulfiram for 12 days. (Naltrexone and Topirimate were useless for me.) I still get urges, but my motivation is FEAR. When I get the urge, I tell myself I literally CAN'T or I'll end up in the hospital. It terrorizes me! I've changed some habits, too. At 5 pm, I make sure I'm at the mall or some place, etc. I've changed my eating habits. Drunks NEVER eat before they start drinking. You can't get drunk on a full stomach. So, I eat a meal shortly before 5. This definitely helps kill the urge. I'm just now getting over the drowsiness. It DOES go away. I no longer have to get up at 2 am to drink a gallon of soda for dehydration and no longer get sick in the afternoons from withdrawal symptoms - my body hurting for 5 o'clock to roll around. I also look better. The ruddiness in my nose and cheeks have gone away. I recommend this drug if you feel you could be motivated by FEAR. That's the only mechanism you can rely on."
Antabuse
Antabuse
