Retrend, are you saying that Brusbar doesn't block the Nal? Your doctor wont let you go on busbar?

No, my doc just hasn't had much luck with Buspar. If I understand Jaba's post correctly, NAL blocks Benzo's like Xanax, Valium, Klonopin etc. If this is correct, I should be able to continue with NAL and TSM. I'm going to post the question in a more direct way and see if I can get a broader response. Jaba, thanks very much.
Best,
Retread

I've been on Clonopin for over 20 years, just the past year wheined off, and now just restarted taking it for panic disorder. Busbar was a joke, didn't touch it, and zanax wasn't strong enough. So I can relate! Anxiety sucks.

Now I'm wondering if I need to go off of it.

But that one test looks like it says it's blocked by the Nal. I sure hope so!!!

I'm waiting impatiently to find out for you.

Hang in there.

Hi Tamara, I'm at a crossroads because I need for the anxiety meds to work and they don't work at all when I take NAL and drink. I don't know why, but after almost a year practicing TSM my drinking behavior does not seem to have improved much. While I have 3 to 4 AF days a week, when I drink I almost always binge. Since the Xanax is blocked as well, the anxiety I experience the next day is awful. The only way out for me is to go AF, and hope that the 11 months of TSM will help me attain this goal. I'm really struggling with both depression and anxiety, and drinking with NAL is not helping.
Best,
Retread

Retread,

I have been doing reading in the older post, and to let you know you are not alone with what you are experiencing. No one was on meds for anxiety, but one of the members realized that his anxiety increased every time he drank with or without the nal. So if you can manage being abstinence, that would be best for you. I do hope things are going well.

Jaba

You sound really strong about this. Going AF certainly makes life simpler however it's also not easy but we will be here for you.

Retread, abstinence truly does sound like the best thing for you right now. I look forward to hearing about your progress and also being here for you when you need support. I will send you healing energy every day.

Thanks everybody. I have been tapering down the last 3 days and today is the last day. Tomorrow begins an AF life. Once I realized that the NAL and drinking was disrupting the anti anxiety meds AF is my only choice. On the NAL drinking days, the next day I feel like the plutonium core of a nuclear weapon. Squeezed from all sides and about to explode. I definitely will need all of you, so thanks for your offer of ongoing support.

Retread,

I will be here with you every step of the way.

I am very proud of you to make this leap, for it is not going to be easy; however, once you get past those first couple of weeks it does get a lot easier.

So, repeat after me: THIS IS ONLY TEMPORARY and THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

Believe it or not repeating things like that helped me when I was trying to be sober (or struggling with an af day). Maybe you will need something to repeat that hits home with you, but it does help.

Let us know if you need anything,

Jaba

P.S. Write down how you feel when you drink and how bad your anxiety is afterwards and read it everyday and/or every time you are thinking about drinking or thinking that you miss it. Keep it fresh in your mind that it is so not wroth it.

good luck retread, I'm rooting for you. AL & anxiety is a vicious circle, I hope you're able to break out of it

-badger