I would like to share this as well as get input from anyone else who has tried it. The top half of this is part of my story. If you want to skip to what I'm trying, scroll down to CRAVINGS.
MY STORY: I have had constant anxiety for years and have recently developed panic attacks as well. Incidentally, I have also had a long-time battle with alcohol. From 2011-July 2012, my alcoholism was so bad I drank vodka all day, every day including having a water bottle full of it on my desk at work. In July 2012 I was arrested for DUI (obviously) and placed on probation and a month of house arrest. During that month and the following month, I remained sober with little-to-no trouble. In September, my fiance and I found out I was pregnant and I remained sober for the next 10 months with no problems.
My son is now 15 months old and my alcoholism has been getting worse. I generally drink about a bottle and a half of wine each night (a glass each hour until I go to sleep), not including weekends which are much worse. I HATE this feeling of having no control. I HATE the thought of something happening to my son because of my problem. I am a very attentive mother even with the alcohol and even when I'm drinking I pay constant attention to him and take very good care of him. But it still terrifies me.
I have become increasingly sick of doing this and feeling this way, but my self-control sucks. I have tried all sorts of herbal remedies, I've tried cutting back, I have tried everything I can think of but the compulsion remains.
CRAVINGS: Yesterday, I realized my anxiety (which is now a circular and constant pattern fueled by alcohol) had begun to sink into depression and I started looking up anti-depressants and psychiatrists. In my search, I found SAM-e (S-adenosylmethinone), a natural mood booster that also promotes health liver function and metabolism. Knowing my addictive personality, I really do not want to try prescription drugs as they have addictive properties.
SAM-e supposedly takes 7-14 days to take effect, but I felt the change immediately. My anxiety dropped from panic-attack mode (10) earlier in the day to about a 2-3. It was amazing. On my way home from work, I picked up wine just like I always do but amazingly did not feel the need to pour it until about 7pm (normally would be right at 5pm). That standard-size glass of wine lasted me until 9:15pm. I had a second standard-size glass with my fiance and when he asked if I wanted a refill, suprisingly, I said "No, I'm good!" and meant it. I didn't change my mind.
I literally went from 7 glasses of wine to 2 in one night. I am thoroughly convinced this is NOT a placebo effect since I have tried everything with no success. I know it's one day at a time, but I'm praying this is finally the solution to cutting back! I am posting this mostly to help others, but also to see if anyone else has experience with this supplement.