My wife has just started TSM. After her last stay in detox she heard about Naltrexone (nal). Previously (through detox) she had heard about Vivitrol but was told to try Nal since it is a daily dose and not timed release, like vivitrol. Never was TSM ever mentined but she was advised to continue (and continue to fail) with abstinence based therapy and meetings. I was researching nal when I read about TSM. I was inspired. I read what I could and read the posts on this and other forums and became convinced that TSM could work for my wife. Things over the last few years have been very difficult for her and me (and the whole family). Prison, detox, sectioned, ER, etc as she would binge drink (wine and vodka) to a fall down state. Alcohol was always part of any social situation since college (I'm 57) for both of us. I essentially stopped drinking about two years ago to try to help our situation. She comes from a big family and all are big drinkers. Her problem started getting bad about ten years ago, very bad for the past 5 years or so. AA, therapy, meetings etc just hasn't worked. She would abstain for a while then the binge. Lately it seems like a week of sobriety and then ...you know the story. When she got out of detox last week, she changed her physician to one who understands addiction and would prescribe nal but still no mention of TSM, only abstinance. She started on nal on 8/20/09. Took the nal and one hour later we shared a bottle of wine after working out and relaxing. Same thing for the next two days. On 8/23 we had a big family gathering with lots of beer and wine for the family. Normally this would have caused tension and drama from my wife watching everyone but her (and me) enjoy drinking, but this time was different. She decided not to drink at the get together, knowing that her family ( who does not know of TSM other than one sister who I've confided in) would freak out if they saw her drink. Just knowing that she could take nal after everyone left and enjoy a couple glasses of wine (and not crave more) that evening took so much pressure off of her that it was a truly enjoyable family gathering. Granted, it has only been five days into TSM, but this is the most optimistic we both have been about controling her problem. I wanted to post on this board because I found it very informative as I researched naltrexone and TSM. My wife isn't into technology and doesn't "get" forums like this. The posts I've read have helped us tremendously so I will chronicle her progress and hopefully success in the hope that we can help someone else with this problem.

As a person who tried to stop drinking 30 times, I know how it feels. The repeated abstinence/relapse cycle is demoralizing to say the least! Attempt #30 was different because it was when I started TSM 23+ weeks ago. The pressure to not drink is gone and the anxiety it creates is gone. So I understand what your wife did at the family gathering. It is a relief to know that under TSM, there is no such thing as a relapse.

I will say though, that the most frustrating part of TSM is the seemingly endless weeks of what we ourselves view as "no progress". TSM works at an unconsciousness level so we cannot observe it working. But eventually it does. I went from an "incurable" daily drinker (I drank every single day after work until I passed out), to someone who often drinks just one night a week and not much even then. I go to sleep now, instead of passing out on the couch and waking only to stagger to the bathroom and pee on the floor. I wake up fresh in the morning, every morning and I don't have to clean up the urine off the floor anymore. Life has become a wonderful thing again.

I find it very loving of you to support and help your wife in this journey she is going on. Visit here often and participate if you want. I always felt the participation got me through the rough spots when we doubt the treatment.

Welcome.

Bob

Welcome! You are indeed a great spouse. TSM will work for your wife and save you both immeasurable misery.

There is often the "honeymoon" phase when starting TSM. After the first several doses, people often have no interest in booze. This is largely because naltrexone can make you feel "spacey" and nauseous and the last thing you want to do is drink. In any event, the side effects and the honeymoon do not last and your wife will almost assuredly resume drinking at the same level she drank before starting TSM after the honeymoon. In fact, her drinking might even spike to higher levels because of the "extinction burst" many of us here have experienced: since the naltrexone blocks the endorphin rush we drinkers are used to, our instinctive response is to drink more and more to regain the endorphin rush. The rush never comes and the spiked drinking will pass, if it happens at all. Beware of the fact that extinction takes many months -- 3 to 4 MINIMUM if your wife drank approximately 35 drinks per week. It will take six months or a lot longer than that if she has been drinking more than 35 per week and the longer she has been drinking, the longer it will take. BUT IT DOES WORK -- for about 88% who follow the proper regimen: taking the nal, waiting an hour and then drinking. At least ten people here have been cured in the past few weeks. Almost all the rest of us are experiencing decreased cravings, reduced consumption and a huge decrease or complete elimination of drunken, out-of-control behavior that has been so destructive for you.

Ask any questions you like as often as you like. Between all of us here, there is almost no question that we cannot answer from our personal experience or by directing you to the proper passage of Dr. Eskapa's book.

My best,

Nick

I am soooooooo keeping my fingers crossed for you both. The fact she managed to get thru the gathering knowing she could have a couple later and didn't crash - was awesome. Not to say that won't happen, but hope is a beautiful thing, the ONLY thing we really have and you have found it here in infinite quantities.

Welcome and good luck - keep us posted! :-)

Hello Helpful - your wife is one lucky woman! Support is key to success with TSM. We'll do our best to give you both all the support we can, but yours will be the most important to your wife. Welcome to both of you!

Thanks for the kind words and support. Day 9 and things are still going well. Two alcohol free days and no cravings. My wife even told me that she has not bought any vodka to hide in the house. That may seem funny but this is real progress. It may still be the "honeymoon" effect and still only nine days in but still better than what we have been going through over the last few years. One problem is that the detox center, where she has been to a few times, keeps calling and asking how she is and if she is going to meetings (AA). Her therapist, from the same center, has also called and made an appointment with my wife. I suggested she level with the therapist and tell her of our try at TSM as an alternative approach to her problem. She is afraid that if the doctor (who prescribed nal) finds out she is using TSM (meaning still drinking) that he will stop prescribing nal. Perhaps this is mach ado about nothing but from reading this forum, abstinance based programs seem to frown on TSM. Will keep you informed.

This is fantastic news and congratulations! You will probably find that in addition to reduced cravings and consumption, your wife will behave way more responsibly and in control while drinking on naltrexone -- another incredibly huge benefit of TSM.

The world is living in the stone ages, haplessly pushing everyone into AA meetings that do not work while vigorously denying the authenticity of a clinically proven cure for alcoholism. I would highly recommend that you don't get specific with the doctor about the intention to drink while on naltrexone. Your wife should be vague and say, "I'm using naltrexone to reduce my cravings and it's working." It's true and the doctor doesn't need any more than that. Most of these ignorant doctors soil themselves the second a person says they intend to drink while taking naltrexone -- ironically, the ONLY way the studies have concluded repeatedly that naltrexone works.

To what nick said, I would add that if she levels with the rehab clinic therapist they may go ballistic. The rehab industry is not cheap, and as such is the most threatened by TSM, which essentially is do-it-yourself. Front-line staff have been inculcated with warnings against "fad" methods and may be entirely sincere in their concern or even alarm. But it is just another venue for needless conflict. Maybe you could help your wife plan, ahead, what she chooses to disclose and how she will handle objections from the therapist. Rehab clinics do not exactly buy in to the concept that we are adults, capable of making informed choices. So I think it wise to be prepared.

Hey Helpful,

It's hard to believe I barely remember what it's like to worry about hiding that liquor - this is truly a VERY significant sign of progress. That brought the most horrible feelings of guilt, and then unbearable shame and self-hatred every time I "got caught" - thank GOD those days are over!

Please be careful about what you and your wife choose to disclose about TSM. I know it's ridiculous, and I absolutely HATE lying, but what your wife needs to focus on right now is getting her life back. I wouldn't risk anything that could impede her progress. She/you can fight for the merits of TSM after she's cured. I'd hate to see her precious energy wasted at this point on defending TSM - this road is rocky enough, and ignorant "professionals" will do anything in their power to make you doubt the validity of an already difficult process. If she chooses to take the honesty route right now, be prepared to find an alternate way to get the Nal. I wish you all the best - stay strong and know that TSM will always win in the end.

Helpful,

Your post hit me right in the heart. My family is large - I am one of 9 - and every event is a huge party. My wife is quite like you. We drank together for years but she stopped due to my problems. I lost contact with all of my siblings during my AA days. I hated going to events and seeing them drinling and I hated not going. I went to my niece's wedding last Nov at West Point. It was the loniless I ever felt. I was seated at a table with all the non drinkers while my siblings were all together having a freakin blast. I left after two hours hating my life. I went on a binge 2 days later and caused all sorts of trouble. I found TSM a few months later and for the first time in years, I am free and I am looking to forward to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and my nephews wedding. TSM works. It is medical science. If you take NALREXONE and drink there is a 90% cure rate. Thanks for the post and keep us updated.

Regards,
Tom

NALTREXONE + DRINKING = CURE
CURED WK 17
http://www.thesinclairmethodworks.info/