John Baugh's Story of Hope
By Daniel Casciato
When his drinking problem became a barrier between himself and his family and the enjoyment of his personal and professional life, gourmet chef John Bauhs turned to the Internet for help. Bauhs, 41, had tried on and off for the past 25 years to stop drinking, but nothing seemed to work. He tried the usual methods, such as quitting cold turkey, going to AA meetings, one-on-one and group counseling. He even was once hospitalized as an in-patient to no avail.
"There was always a part of me that felt there was more of a medical and biological component to my problem:' said Bauhs.
Through Internet research at www.clinicaltrials.gov sponsored by National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bauhs and his wife discovered a treatment study for alcohol dependence at the University of Pennsylvania Addiction Treatment Research Center. Patients were being treated with naltrexone, a medication that blocks the chemicals in the brain that make alcoholics feel good after a drink.
Naltrexone also blocks the euphoric high that people experience with drugs like heroin. It competes with the drugs for the opioid receptors in the brain. Naltrexone has been used to treat heroin dependence for nearly 20 years, but was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as treatment for alcoholism ten years ago.
In clinical trials evaluating its effectiveness, patients who took naltrexone were twice as successful in remaining abstinent and in avoiding relapse as opposed to patients who received a placebo.
"This treatment gives people hope," said Dr. Helen Pettinati, professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. "But it's more effective if we use a two-pronged approach by treating the psychology, as well the biology. Counseling is still essential in the recovery process. By receiving counseling in combination with naltrexone, we've been seeing some positive results."
Naltrexone has been utilized for alcohol dependence for 10 years, but only in the pill form. Dr. Pettinati and her research team are now studying injectable naltrexone. The University of Pennsylvania is one of 24 sites nationwide studying the injectable form. Heavy drinkers are being tested by receiving a monthly shot.
"We believe that it's easier to get the injection instead of taking pills everyday," said Dr. Pettinati. "We're also seeing faster results with the injectable. We hope it will get approved by the end of the year:"
The most common side effect reported with naltrexone is nausea, which usually goes away within the first month, said Dr. Pettinati.
Bauhs noticed a change immediately after he started taking the drugs. "The amazing thing for me is that after being on the drug for three days, my urge to drink was completely gone. It was a liberating moment not to have that urge constantly gnawing at me;' he said.
No longer battling the craving to drink, Bauhs felt more in control of his life than ever before. This allowed him to focus on getting his life back on track.
"It has made such a dramatic difference;' he said. "The life-changing experience it provided was incredible. I started feeling better emotionally and physically."
Bauhs' health dramatically improved because he started working out, eating healthier and sleeping more soundly at night. Another important change in his life was to begin amending relationships with friends and family members.
"Your life will get better exponentially in ways you never realized;' he said.
In addition to his personal life, Bauhs' career also took a turn for the better. Bauhs is a graduate of l' Academie de Cuisine and interned with Michelin two-star French Chef Gerard Pangaud. He became a cook assistant at the Blair House in Washington, D.C., where he assisted in the preparation of meals for President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush, among notable dignitaries.
Bauhs is now the owner of Resident Gourmet Personal Chef Service, which provides private chef services to busy people around the country. He prepares meals for private clients in their homes, freezing the dishes so clients can eat throughout the month. His clients include Montel Williams, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and the rock band Cheap Trick.
"It's been wonderful to see John turn his life around the way he has;' said Dr. Pettinati. "He's improved his life immensely and I feel gratified that what our staff is doing is helping him and other patients:'
Although he's been sober for nearly a year now, Bauhs said the drug is not for everyone.
"It's not a magic bullet for all people," he said. "First of all, the alcoholic taking it has to want to quit. Secondly, counseling is important. It's that one-two punch that has proved to be successful."
Bauhs encourages those with a drinking problem to take a proactive role in their recovery process.
"Do some research to see what medications or treatments are out there;' he said. "Don't give up. It took a lot a work to become an alcoholic and it'll take as much work to get better."
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