I agree with this. There are definitely times when I have a drink purely out of habit even when not craving a drink. I always stop and assess my level of craving before I actually take a drink and often find there's no real desire beyond just "I always have wine this time of day" or something.

Trying to mindful of that. Sometimes, say, when I'm at a restaurant and my partner orders his usual, I can muster the self-discipline to go with club soda or ice tea, and that feels good. Hopefully it will become easier as time goes by.

The issue of living with another alcohol abuser is a tough one, for sure. But that's another thread.

So today, the aversion continued. I had an unexpected, intense craving this morning and followed the protocol (to the minute, in fact -- it was a really bad one). Had a beer after waiting the hour and felt much better, but drinking the beer itself was not enjoyable -- just taking my "medicine" and getting some relief. I've had a few more over the course of the day, and have enjoyed NONE of them -- in fact the thought of drinking is a little nauseating and I'm mostly doing it just to keep from feeling too hyperactive. (And, this late in the day, it's still habit.)

Eskapa stresses that results really start to become evident around 3 to 4 months in, and I think that's starting to happen now. Feeling very encouraged!

I've always thought you've done a great job. My stance is as strong as ever. Applause!

Kate63, it looks like you are doing a great job, especially for someone with a drinking partner. See how far you have come by being able to order plain soda at a restaurant!!! I assume this is not usual behavior. Keep plugging, you've got the golden rule down and I think TSM is silently doing its magic. You are in my thoughts and I truly look forward to your "cured" post sometime in the not so distant future. Keek

[quote="epenthesis"]I think this is the point where it's useful to differentiate between cravings and habits. The cravings will fall away without real effort beyond what it takes to take the pill, but people still find themselves drinking without desire because it's part of their routine. That's where it can require conscious effort to disrupt the pattern.

This is what I am grappling with I think. It is the habit of drinking, not so much the craving. I just do it, because it's what I do at night. Finding different things to do to get out of the habit is going to be a big part of my journey I can see that already.

Imho, and as a TSM purist, what do you think Dr. Sinclair meant when he states......"The Sinclair Method (TSM) uses the nervous system’s own mechanism, called “extinction”, for gradually removing the interest in alcohol and the behaviors involved in alcohol drinking.”........Isn't he talking about habits when he refers to the behaviors involved in alcohol drinking? For the majority I would say you can't out think this protocol, have patience and persevere, trust completely in the TSM process. The addiction, old habits will naturally fade. You will then have the freedom to create any kind of life you want. Peace

Yes, I think so. I've been sober for extended periods of time in the past, and each time went through the process of looking around myself and wondering, what do I do now with all this free time? I feel it again now when faced with a lack of craving ... which is SO weird ... and think "well, I should do something productive now, what will it be?" Sometimes I find something to do, but at this point I'm still mostly indulging the habit part of it.

It's hard to restructure one's activities all at once, but if past experience is any indication, as the cravings fall away I'll replace the alcohol habit with some of the activities I'd abandoned in the face of drinking (yoga, music, mountain biking, etc.) out of sheer boredom if nothing else. My enthusiasm for those things got buried in the addiction (and related depression, which I'm in the process of getting treatment for) and I hope motivation for them will return as the habit fades.

Hmm, well now the aversion seems to have faded. I think it might actually have been nausea related to taking boosters the day before. I have sworn off the boosters now after having a couple morning episodes of intense nausea with dry heaves last week (which never happened before NAL).

Interestingly, I also realized yesterday that I have stopped drinking coffee. I wasn't exactly addicted to it, but my usual, lifelong consumption was 1 to 4 cups, black, a day. Now it holds virtually no appeal. The last couple of times I started on a cup (just because it was there; my partner was having some), I had a few sips and poured the rest out. That's got to be a result of the NAL.