A kava best suited for alcohol cessation?

[KavaKrunked]

I totally agree with both of you. I suppose I was looking for some validation from a couple of stand-up guys who have been there, done that. Thank you!



It does seem ridiculous to think of someone trying a Step 1 because of kava, laughable at best. But I suppose there could be an extreme case. That person would likely appear as though they live submerged in a salt marsh... but anyway...



Thank you both for your words. The thing that had me hung up was my new-found sense of honesty and the importance placed upon just that by the program.



In any event, I've hijacked this thread enough.



So to the OP - I think you have some solid evidence that kava can and does help the alcohol/drug dependent person get and remain sober. I know that I have also read numerous threads on other "drug experience" websites where people cite using kava as a means of coping with withdrawals from various substances, from alcohol to benzos to even stimulants. I, however, doubt that I could have stomached kava while withdrawing from alcohol. Water was even difficult. God, I don't miss that!

 

[kl.metacog]

A sincere thanks for everyone sharing your experiences. It has warmed my heart to know that many members of this community can relate to what I am going through.



I just received my Stone kava today, and sitting before me is a freshly squeezed batch. I would like to dedicate this shell to all that have suffered, or are still suffering, but have been blessed in some way by this root. To all of you, much love.



Bula!

 

[KavaKrunked]

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.



Bula!

 

[August West]

Hey, remember that even though people sometimes speak of a sobriety date, remember that recovery is a process, not an event. So don't beat yourself up if you stumble, at first. And another thing, I know people that do aa, others na, some do church, some just stop before it got bad and they regain control. And I know seven people personally that weren't so lucky. Bottom line, I don't wanna.sound like i'm preaching or promoting. Good luck man. Looking forward to shootin' the shit with you and everyone in here for a long while

 

[kl.metacog]

Thanks tombo. I think I might be in the "just before it got bad" category. I do think about alcohol every day, but I haven't touched it since starting this thread. The kava definitely kills the cravings!

 

[krunkedout]

Thanks tombo. I think I might be in the "just before it got bad" category. I do think about alcohol every day, but I haven't touched it since starting this thread. The kava definitely kills the cravings!

I was in the same boat my friend. I think I'm one of those folks that is at "high risk" for alcoholism and I used to drink more than I should have, even in the mornings. While it was fun, and I still think about alcohol a lot, kava is absolutely wonderful for me because it's sort of like the best of both worlds. To me it feels similar to both alcohol and cannabis but with no negative side effects like paranoia or addiction and doesn't mentally intoxicate me.

 

[kl.Letharia]

I'm kind of in the same boat.... It's scary, to try to let go of my safety blanket. I'm very psychologically hooked on booze. That's why I'm back to Kava... because there's no liquor in my home. It's terrifying! To me, Kava is like a lighter safety blankie. lol I just have to do my part, and let Kava fill in the gaps. I don't know about the word "alcoholic", but "problem" comes to mind! AA isn't for me, because I'm not "there" yet either... I just want to learn to drink on weekends only. I've drank every day for the past few years, time of day be damned. Actually, I was a morning drinker. I'm craving it a lot now. I just want to be krunked all day until this passes...

 

[krunkedout]

I'm kind of in the same boat.... It's scary, to try to let go of my safety blanket. I'm very psychologically hooked on booze. That's why I'm back to Kava... because there's no liquor in my home. It's terrifying! To me, Kava is like a lighter safety blankie. lol I just have to do my part, and let Kava fill in the gaps. I don't know about the word "alcoholic", but "problem" comes to mind! AA isn't for me, because I'm not "there" yet either... I just want to learn to drink on weekends only. I've drank every day for the past few years, time of day be damned. Actually, I was a morning drinker. I'm craving it a lot now. I just want to be krunked all day until this passes...

good luck my friend. Booze is my drug of choice and I crave it even if I havnt had it for months. Just the thought of a glass of rum still makes my mouth water. Do I have a problem currently? No because currently I am not drinking. Will I have a problem in the future? I'm at high risk. This is why I always try to keep kava around. It leads me not into temptation.

 

[kl.Letharia]

Curse alcohol. It's so good, yet so destructive. Kava doesn't really hold the same appeal for me, but it takes it's place in other ways. I loved the "washed over" feeling with alcohol, how it made me feel good, and blunted all my real emotions. Kava is more therapeutic. I guess that's what I need. It's also a good insurance policy, because whenever I've had alcohol too soon after kava, I had the worst hangovers of my life. This will keep me away from alcohol so long as I can help it. lol Unfortunately for this reason I also stopped using kava for a long time in favor of booze... I've tried to quit a few times, and I'm not always sure that I can. I guess my attempts to quit are attempts to prove that I can.


I agree that you only really have a problem if you're abusing yourself. My number one concern is the damage I've been doing to my body. If I can learn to drink a healthy amount for healthy reasons, then I'm happy. Having cravings and not giving into them isn't a problem, it's an achievement.

 

[Paradise Kava]

Courageous writing! It's heartwarming to read all your experiences guys. Thanks for sharing.

I have a very similar story with Alcohol, and giving it up for 6 years ONLY because of Kava (long before I got serious about Kava as a business - and when I developed the extracts for myself in 2007 Really, they were for me, as my personal medicine

I do drink occasionally now, but it's usually never fun once anything past good micro brewed beer gets involved. Think it's more managable after the 6 year halt, but I agree that it creeps up on you, and a periodic detox/laying off is mandatory.

All the best to our brothers here who are staying off the things which damage their lives.

More power to you all!

A.G

 

[kl.Letharia]

And sisters! Thanks Adil for sharing too... It's good hearing from someone who's been there & had success. Helps me believe maybe I can do it.

 

[kl.Ouroboros]

Meta, I too came to kava to help with alcohol cessation.  I went through the vicious cycle too many times to count (often times enjoying many, many other substances along the way and mixing, i thought alcohol would help me 'come back' from experiences, stay grounded, etc...) ... I tried AA right when I made the decision to put down the drink, but the withdrawal symptoms from 4 years of daily drinking were so brutal, my body literally forgot how to make GABA and my body was reeling... I needed something, figured benzos werent going to work in the long term, and along came kava... I am 2 months and three days sober and I know, I know, kava had a great influence in that.  For me, I was drinking Paradise Kava ISA daily for a month, to crush my reverse tolerance to smithereens and I found it certainly did the trick, although my hands now look like I work a pick ax in a salt marsh, it's worth it.. I haven't had kava for maybe 5 days and I don't have cravings anymore for that damn jekyll juice, and i know that kava is going to be a lifelong companion... from a chemists point of view, the way the kavalactones work with the brain receptors is beautiful, I really think beautiful is the word to describe it... 


I really hope you can help recognize your allergy with alcohol.... i am allergic too  I think the fact we are here now is a good good sign!!!

 

[kl.billbryan]

If you are an alcoholic you can not just drink on the weekends, it just does not work that way. I'm sure that kava is a great tool to use if you are an alcoholic but if you think that you can drink like a normal person you are sadly mistaken. Alcohol is a very powerful drug. Even if you are able to get away with drinking from time to time in moderation I assure you that it is only a matter of time before the alcohol consumption is out of control. Be careful, I would suggest just to let it be if you know or even suspect that it has a grip on you.

 

[kl.Letharia]

If you are an alcoholic you can not just drink on the weekends, it just does not work that way. I'm sure that kava is a great tool to use if you are an alcoholic but if you think that you can drink like a normal person you are sadly mistaken. Alcohol is a very powerful drug. Even if you are able to get away with drinking from time to time in moderation I assure you that it is only a matter of time before the alcohol consumption is out of control. Be careful, I would suggest just to let it be if you know or even suspect that it has a grip on you.

This is good & sound advice for many people, but I think it's something that everyone has to discover for themselves. One can never know if they're capable of moderate drinking until they try it. Some try it and fail, while others succeed. So I think the important thing is to stay honest with oneself and be able to keep yourself accountable. For many, the problem is not that they drink, but why they drink. I've never been a binge drinker... I began drinking daily to deal with my anxiety. Now I'm ready to pursue other means. The thought of never drinking again, especially on weekend social events, is what scares me... And I think it would scare many others away too. I think it's important for people to know that there's more than one way of going about things. Not everybody agrees with AA's philosophies. They are certainly too religious in nature for me, while I'd rather believe in myself and my own capabilities. I realy believe moderation is the right thing for me to do. So basically, we'll see if you're right but I have to give it a shot. lol

 

[kl.majorcajones]

do so far the the best kava selections for an alcohol "substitute seem to be boroguru and stone? with stone being the (slightly) stronger kava? Im looking to make a purchase soon, All ive had is pure root and kavalactone capsules(the good yellow stuff) i broke open the pure root pills measured 1/4 cup and blended it into 16 ounces of water. I got slight tongue numbing and not much else.


the kavalactone pills seem top be hit or miss, ive only really felt something on them twice, but it was a bit "heady"....actually kinda nice



now when i make my next purchase and got through kneading and all that.

 

[Bula Kava House]

If you want something strong enough to be considered an alcohol substitute you've got to try our new Koniak. This kava is ridiculously strong. Starts off heady and euphoric then eases into a potent muscle relaxer. Our Boroguru is awesome and probably our most popular, definitely more heavily weighted toward the physical side of kava intoxication. You really can't go wrong with either. Maybe try a blend even.

 

[Ed!]

I definitely condone the blending idea. I started drinking kava as an alternative to alcohol and I was never completely satisfied when my kava was too far to one end of the spectrum or the other. I would say that the best kava for you would be a strong body kava with a moderate head effect. Koniak actually sounds about perfect. I have some in my fridge waiting to be tried this weekend.

 

[kl.majorcajones]

Alright so i just put an order in for the Kodiak, I dont mind starting at the deeper end, i can always adjust/drink less. So there is nothing wrong from just taking a couple of heaping tablespoons and drinking without kneading? do you use less kava that way? I bought a strainer bag too but im just curious. Until then im gonna keep taking the kavalactone caps seeing if I just need to break through the reverse tolerance.(plus why waste any top quality kava like kodiak due to reverse tolerance ha)

 

[kl.studio1]

Hi, don't want to hijack this thread - but a question = I am on a 2 week hiatus from booze due to elevated Liver LFTs from a blood test. An ultrasound shows 'fatty liver' so I see the Doc wants no alcohol for 2 weeks to determine if Alcohol to blame, or if it something else...Anyway - I wondered if Kava consumption will also raise the LFTs which would give a false positive on the alcohol related raised LFTs. Any thoughts?