SWIM thought he would write up his personal experiences here. SWIM is a no-question alcoholic, having consumed 8-16 units most days for several years. However, although it is too soon to tell for sure, he may have found an approach that works for breaking dependence, although it may not be to everyone's taste.
SWIM used a variety of drugs in his youth, including DXM (cough syrup). It can be purchased legally OTC in most places, although as always do your search first insofar as legality and usage is concerned (consult other forums on here, erowid, etc.).
About a month ago, he started using DXM regularly again, several times a week in medium-large doses (~700mg). Not everyone will enjoy this, the safety of it is not guaranteed, and it will mess you up; SWIM wants to stress that this approach is only recommended for someone familiar with a drug background that includes more than alcohol and cannabis.
However, for SWIM, he found that it effectively totally eliminated his desire for alcohol (and cigarettes too—he is a longtime smoker). DXM is non-addictive (some even say anti-addictive), and SWIM has now gone a week without using either DXM or alcohol, and feels no desire to use either. Although it will take longer to know for sure, SWIM feels that DXM was largely responsible for his cessation on alcohol dependence.
There is also some clinical evidence to back this up. SWIM would refer you to the paper, but users with my status are unable to post links. Here is the abstract:
The effects of dextromethorphan (DM), a noncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, have been investigated on ethanol withdrawal signs in rats. Ethanol (7.2% v/v) was given to rats in a liquid diet for 16 days. DM (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) and saline were injected intraperitoneally at the third hour of ethanol withdrawal. DM (40 mg/kg) and ethanol dependent saline were also administered to ethanol naive rats. DM (40 mg/kg) did not produce any significant change in locomotor activity in ethanol naive rats. The effects of DM on locomotor activity and total ethanol withdrawal score were evaluated at the fourth and sixth hours of ethanol withdrawal. DM inhibited locomotor hyperactivity at these periods. DM also reduced total ethanol withdrawal score from the fourth hour to the sixth hour, and it significantly decreased audiogenic seizures. Seizure susceptibility after chronic ethanol exposure may be dependent upon sensitization or upregulation of NMDA processes and NMDA receptors. Our results suggest that inhibition of NMDA receptors by DM alleviates signs of ethanol withdrawal.
This paper only discusses the effect of DXM on physical withdrawal, but SWIM strongly suspects that it has a similar effect on psychological withdrawal. And from another source:
Some people have reported that combining DXM with a low dose of a benzodiazepine can prevent some of the more annoying side effects (mostly related to overstimulation, high blood pressure, and tachycardia). Clonazepam (Clonopin[tm]) in particular has been reported to have specific effects in combination with DXM, different from other benzodiazepines. These effects include enhanced CEV's (closed-eye visuals) and, of course, limiting or preventing sympathomimetic effects (high blood pressure and heart rate, sweating, etc.). I can't recommend this, and these drugs are of course prescription-only, but it doesn't seem to me that a low dose would be harmful. Just don't do it regularly.
Worth noting that SWIM has a history of anxiety, and did take clonazepam with the DXM, which seemed to eliminate the anxiety sometime encountered with its use in his youth. He is happy to offer more advice or respond to any questions anybody might have. Again, this approach is very cautiously recommended, anyone considering is encouraged to research DXM use thoroughly beforehand, and your mileage may vary.
21-10-2009, 15:08
Similar Threads
Threaded Mode