For those who dont get a buzz when drinking on Nal (I'm included- after a few times anyway) have any of use experimented with a half dose? I was always pretty anti taking half dozes but I'm just wondering if a half doze gives you more of a buzz? (not that this is a good thing- I'm just curious)

It's possible but for most people I doubt it. I only take quarter doses and I don't think I notice much of a difference when I take a half. I only take a half on occasions when I think I will be up for a longer period of time. In the 14 months that I have been doing TSM I have only taken a full dose once and honestly I didn't notice a difference so I didn't bother doing it again.

Having said that, the dosage is 50mg and that's what people should stick with. That's what all the clinical trials were done under and that's what they know will work. It's different for some people though and for some they need to take even more than 50mg's.

Also BTW I still get a buzz on alcohol on no matter what dosage I take. The only thing that Naltrexone does for me is cut out the rat lever pulling chase. That's the whole thing in a nut shell for me. It's not the same buzz, it can't be since it blocks endorphin, but it's something.

"It's not the same buzz, it can't be since it blocks endorphin, but it's something" I get something else too Ocean. It's hard to describe but the 'buzz' has no happiness, no euphoria, it's certainly not pleasurable in anyway these days. It's so unpleasurable, I was just wondering if half doses may enable me to drink socially.

I can't say that I've heard one way or the other, but it might be a bit dangerous if you still have a "romantic" memory of the buzz or if you pine for it. I really didn't notice any difference in beer on or off Nal, but I don't have much in the way of fond memories of it any longer. This may be your brain reaching out in a last gasp to re-establish the old connection, in which case I'd suggest you go ahead, drive the stake in harder and make sure it's good and dead. Then perhaps try a half dose to see if it's more pleasurable, that might be enough to block a new memory from being formed even if you do enjoy it. 100% conjecture on my part, but it's the best I can do.

I got the notion to have a beer last night. Took a dose, had about 3 oz of a pint with a smoke. Put the rest back in the fridge and couldn't bring myself to drink any more of it.

nzspeak - I agree with Joe - I think you are playing a dangerous game thinking of taking a lesser dose in search of the 'buzz'. Please do not jeopardise your success by doing that .....I truly do think you are playing with fire! Why do you feel that you need to drink socially? Just curious. My husband stopped drinking shortly after me and he went to a winery with some friends last weekend - and drank water! He was still being totally sociable!

Hugs, Maggie

The end goal of TSM is to reach pharmacological extinction not a certain degree of extinction but the total end all extinction. You have to want it. It's there for you if you choose it. If you still want to get high on alcohol then you may not be ready for TSM yet. I think it's possible that you could find a dose of Naltrexone that would work the way you want it too but what I would worry about is that in the event you really want to be cured it will make it more difficult. But it's an interesting discussion none the less.

If you are just starting on TSM then you probably got nothing to loose but if someone has been on TSM for a long time it would be a dangerous game.

FWIW I find drinking so much more pleasurable now it's hard to describe. I can go to a winery with friends, enjoy some drinks, and not be carried out on a stretcher.

From what I have researched, decreasing the dose just lessens the half-life. In other words, same strength of coverage but less time covered. 4mg of Nal is thought to cover for approx 4 hours. 50mg may cover for 36+ hours. YMMV.

That's what it 'feels' like to me too. It seems that no matter how much Naltrexone I take it blocks it like it's supposed to. This works out well for me since even though I drank a LOT I never started drinking till about 5 or 6PM till midnight or so.

So yeah, nzspeak, it very well may be impossible to take a minimum amount of Naltrexone to get just a slight 'happy' buzz. You are either on it or not kind of thing.