Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, how do people like us actually do Baclofen. How do we start to take it, and then progress with it to help us with our chronic alcoholism? This topic is covered in considerably more detail in both The Baclofen Programme and The Baclofen Programme Food Book.
As I state repeatedly, this site NEVER provides individual medical advice.
The following is most definitely NOT a prescription.
At most, you might consider to be an overview of the experiences of lots and lots of people, and myself.
The following is by far the most important point. Heed it well, because it must be your mantra if you find yourself on blog sites offering advice.
There is absolutely no set protocol, as yet, for using Baclofen to help manage / treat / cure chronic alcoholism. There is most definitely no "one size fits all" regime.
"One man's pill is another man's poison".
How true.
If you are going to do this (and I hope that you do), and if you are doing it without medical supervision (and I hope that you are not), then you simply must understand that you have to find the dose and timings unique to you.
OK?
Good.
Before your Baclofen is dispensed or arrives through the post, ensure that you have prepared all the things you do (and do not) need. Stock your kitchen, buy your vitamins, remove alcohol. In the day(s) prior to starting Baclofen, it is my advice that you do your very best not to drink. Most certainly, do not have one final blow out, bender, or binge. This is advice that, for a decade, I have given to my obesity patients before they commence my weight loss programme. You do not want to enter Day 1 of this important stage of your life with a guilt trip, emotional baggage, a lack of self-esteem, in poor physical shape. And with a hangover requiring 'hair of the dog'.
Hit the ground running. You will be so pleased that you did.
Baclofen generally comes in 10mg tablets. The 'usual' medical dose would be taken three times a day; starting with 10mg - that is, 1 x 10mg tablet taken three times a day.
Most of us start with 10mg x 3 a day.
After a few days (it seems usually 5), double the dose to 20mg x 3 a day.
After another few days (eg 5 days, depending upon your symptoms and signs), add another 30mg - ie 30mg x 3 times a day.
And so on, until you find that your cravings are going and you feel relaxed and to some degree 'in control'.
When you first start taking Baclofen, you will almost certainly notice what is often called somnolence. This merely means a feeling of tiredness / drowsiness. You will probably feel a little dizzy on occasions, especially if you stand up too quickly. You may notice a bit of tingling or numbness in your hands and / or feet, and the occasional twitching of your muscles.
All of these will fade away, probably totally, within a few days. Every time you increase the dose of Baclofen, they will probably return as before, only to fade away again.
When you eventually find your controlling dose, and it might be very high indeed, stablilise yourself at that dose for some time. Maybe a couple of weeks or even months.
Then, gradually start to reduce the dose, maintaining any new drop in dose for (maybe) 5 days.
Do this until you find the lowest dose at which you feel comfortable, relaxed, safe, controlled. And alcohol free without cravings.
Then continue this maintenance dose (probably) indefinitely. This dose may alter with time.
Some people report that they have bad dreams or worse if they take Baclofen at night. I know that this was certainly the case for me. Consequently, some take their Baclofen in two doses, rather than three, with the last one being around (say) 6pm. This is what I do, and the nightmares stopped immediately.
Others have a long history of poor sleep patterns. For them, it is probably better to take their last dose late at night. Maybe even a larger dose.
At times of stress and worse, add more Baclofen for a day or so.
Never stop the Baclofen acutely.
And, obviously, if you are ever concerned about anything, seek medical advice and attention.
It might be neither sympathetic nor useful, but you must still do it.
And the very best of luck to you.
Now, what about alcohol and Baclofen?
Well, I guess it's up to you, and where you find yourself right now.
And how much support you've got.
And how bad it's got.
And how well you are.
And lots of other things.
I'm naive apparently, but this is my heart felt advice.
Do NOT drink alcohol when you are building up your Baclofen dosages.
If you drink, you will probably feel terrible. And guilty. Avoid this.
Do NOT binge when taking Baclofen.
You will feel really terrible, and take a long time to get over it. Some report that they felt really bad for up to a week after a binge. It's not worth it.
If you must drink, get to a stable Baclofen dose, and take it easy. Feel your way.
Many can have a social drink when taking Baclofen, and go no further. But be careful. Very careful.
And most importantly, NEVER ever run out of Baclofen.
I did, and it brought Armageddon down upon me.
I had the only totally drunk blackout I've ever had when I ran out of Baclofen. Even though I hadn't had a drink before it started.
I had had a week of torture, with what can only be described as an (admittedly) mild psychosis when I did not have Baclofen for more than a week. But it WAS a psychosis, with auditory and visual hallucinations. Voices in my head telling me to kill myself. I had unbelievable headaches, and uncontrollable muscle spasms. It was horrendous. And its after effects lasted almost a month. I describe it in considerable detail in The Uninvited Guest.
Avoid it like the plague.
Please keep me informed of anything and everything that happens to you.
If I can be of any help, you know where I am.
Dr Phill
So, what about any side effects of taking Baclofen? See you on the next page!
