Hi,
I am new to this forum, and began my journey with TSM April 5, 2014. Prior, I had been drinking over 60 beers, and 3-4 fifths of Vodka per week...for years. I once ended in the hospital after trying to quit on my own, ( I began hallucinating). After that scare, I stayed on the wagon for about a month, then slowly went right back to where I was before. I relapsed so many times. Quit...relapse, over and over. I was so tired of being a slave to drink. I really wanted to cut down and be like others that could enjoy a social drink or 2, or so nah, I'm good. I should also say, that very few people had any idea the extent of my problem. I was ashamed, and felt hopeless. Then, while browsing on Amazon I found "The Cure for Alcoholism". I bought it, and as I read it, it was as if my whole life was being explained to me...even down to how unenjoyable alcoholism becomes, and why I couldn't answer the question Why? from my wife.

I had hope for the first time. I want to say also that I am a very private person, and will NEVER attend any group meeting...I told my doctor that for years. I am a disabled Vet, and I looked up Nal to make sure I could get it from the VA. I called the next day, and to the Va's credit, they saw me immediately. The VA takes Alcoholism very seriously. I did have to jump through some hoops because only a Psychiatrist can prescribe Nal, and they tell you to abstain...period. I said nothing, took my scrip, and followed The Sinclair Method.

My drinking dropped quite bit immediately, as Vodka began tasting just plain bad, so that stopped. However, my beer intake has tapered off much more slowly, even increasing a bit after a couple weeks. This week, I drank my last beer, and bought no more to replace it. Will I buy more?...yes, but, I realized that on my days off work, it was just too easy for me to drink if I was puttering around. I'm surprised that after only 6 weeks cravings are minimal. So far so good...I continue to take Nal first thing in the morning (so I don't forget it), and then, I may, or, may not drink.

I am so incredibly grateful.

buzzmeister Welcome and thanks for sharing. I, too, was a vodka drinker and found it very hard to drink vodka while on now -- the taste / sensation was very gross.

I'm sure others will chime in here, but generally the Sinclair Method proper requires you to take the pill one hour before drinking, and only when drinking, in order to achieve pharmacological extinction. In the text, you might recall that it's considered "ok" to be on more continuous Nal (e.g. an implant or daily in the morning) only for the first month. In terms of studies, I think taking Nal every morning doesn't generally lead to as high of a success rate. That doesn't mean it won't for you, I'm just talking statistically here.

Anyway, keep us updated.

Hi barryb3. Thanks for your comments.
I think that you're are very right about taking Nal only an hour before your first drink. When I started TSM, I drank from the moment I woke until I went to sleep, thus taking it first thing in the morning for me was my only option.
As I am getting more control, I am learning how to actually have a "Drinking Session"...seems weird to me, but awesome at the same time. My wife and I have an after dinner cocktail now, and we were planning on having another last night, but I just plain forgot to. I can't believe that!.
40 days into Pharmacological Extinction, and loving it.

Congratz. I wish you continued success. I found that i had to change my behaviors around drinking. Perhaps you could use a hobby instead of puttering around. Something to do so you dont feel a need to have a beer in your hand.

Some of us find that after the cravings are gone, habits linger.