Rob D. wrote:
> On Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 5:54:38 AM UTC-5, jimbo
> wrote:
> > On Tuesday, 21 June 2016 00:11:23 UTC-4, Rob D. wrote:
> > > Who needs to be able to get a laugh at the daily
> > > comics page, enjoy a joke, of feel a thrill of
> > > pleasure at some particularly stirring passage of
> > > music? Such pleasures pale, I say pale when compared
> > > with the possibility of taking a drink . . . which .
> > > . . I will not . . . . enjoy . . . ?
> >
> > Obviously you can't read very well. The pill is taken
> > with the alcohol until the addiction is removed and
> > then "normal" drinking is resumed.
>
> Obviously.
>
> I cannot imagine why I would not be confident that a new
> drug designed to block the dopamine receptors in the
> brain would work, permanently, exactly as anticipated,
> with absolutely no unexpected long-term effects.
>
> You try it, and let me know how that works out for you.
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Naltrexone is hardly a new drug.
http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/gazorpa/History.html
"Naltrexone was originally synthesized in 1963
and patented in 1967 as “Endo 1639A” (US patent
no. 3332950) by Endo Laboratories, a small
pharmaceutical company in Long Island, NY,
a company with extensive experience in
narcotics."
In adition, this treatment regimen requires a commitment on
the part of the alcololic or addict to abstain from any and
all narcotics for a week to 10 days prior to beginning this
therapy since this drug can cause acute narcotic withdrawal
in those with a dependence on opioids. Further, this
therapy requires a continued commitment to taking the
medication on a daily basis. As the half life is between
3 and 13 hours this drug wears off in about a day or so.
So it would seem some sort of therapy would be indicated in
order to support its use.
It seems a valid treatment option to me and I cannot see
any objection to its use. As with any medication there are
side effects, mostly symptoms of gastric distress but liver
injury is also on the list. Thus for any alcoholic with
symptoms of liver disease this might not be an option. But
for those seeking a nonspiritual fix for their alcohol
problem it could be a solution. If it works then surely it
should be offered as an option. If they've got financial
resources to pay for it then why not try it? AA will
always remain an option.