Hello,

I am about halfway through Roy Eskapa's book, and will finish it within a week. Here is my story. I have had a long relationship with beer. I am 48 and have been enjoying beer since I was 16, in increasing amounts. The past decade has become brutal, though, with my drinking 18-24 light beers every day, starting first thing in the am, working all day while I drink, then passing out at night. About 4 years ago, I began limiting my drinking to only Friday pm through Monday pm. My body just couldn't handle it anymore...I was too feeble to make it to work, so this compromise became my way. I have been through periods of AA numerous times in my life, I have been through outpatient rehab, but to no avail. I am not an AA kind of guy.

So, I started taking Nal exactly 6 weeks ago today. The first week or two I experienced diminished drinking, but since then, I am back to daily consumption of 18-24 beers per day, every day. Taking Nal allows me to drink alot, without getting obnoxious at night, causing arguments, and then blacking out. But I don't feel great. I just wanted to post. I am hoping that this will kick in so I stop drinking, before I exterminate my liver. I am 6 weeks in, and sucking back up to a case of light beer per day. I am taking the Nal as recommended. Any response from anyone is appreciated. It is not even 9:00 am, and I am drinking my 5th beer of the day already.

Bud-Man,
I just started my 5th week so I am by no means an expert. However I was wondering, when you first started taking NAL did you experience an Side Effects? It seems that most of us do, to widely varying degrees.

budman, I think it takes months - possibly well over a year - for TSM to work for most people. If you saw diminished drinking when first taking nal, that means your body is responding to it and there's a good chance this program will work for you too. Everyone sees their levels go back up a few weeks in. Keep on taking nal and keep on posting!
EL

Diver,
Yes, I did experience side effects initially. Namely, slight dizziness/light headedness, some nausea and headache. Being I am 6 weeks into taking Nal, I don't really feel those side effects anymore. Except maybe kind of low-level nausea and bloated feeling, which is surely related to my drinking so much.

Drinking beer is so ingrained into my habitual pattern of behavior. I sure hope my craving goes away soon. Thanks to the other respondents, as well.

The fact that you had experienced a honeymoon period bodes well for you. I suspect you will start seeing at least some minor changes in the compulsion to drink or slow down. I have predicted that everyone will eventually succeed with TSM, and I am right more than 8 out of 10 times. Although I was a quick responder, many others turned the corner months later after periods of doubt (See BOB3d for instance). Good luck. Nal-on!

Stick with it - even the subtle changes you are experiencing such as no blackouts and arguing are worth it. And it does take months-seasoned vetrans of TSM regularly say 6-12 months, especially for those of us that have been hitting the booze hard for decades. Read and Post-you will see the sucess of fellow TSMers as well as the frustration. And by posting you will notice the small changes that happen over time which add up to big changes!

Bluehen -

Thank you very much for being there. I know when I can overcome such an addiction as I have, I will be there supporting others and telling them of how I escaped this mode of being addicted to alcohol. To all, I can only say, it is good to have a community of us, supporting. I know I appreciate it. I took my Nal at about 5:00 am this morning, then popped the top on my first one at about 6:00 am. Been crankin' back all day. I definitely feel drunk, but I feel like I am much more in control and compassionate toward others, including my wife, and less inclined to jump to anger. In fact, I feel a surrender of sorts. I am 6 weeks into Nal treatment. I seem to have a more entrenched drinking pattern that many, given that I am 48 and have lived a life of increasing beer consumption on a respectable scale. Thanks everyone who participates in this forum. I hope to contribute feedback and knowledge to others as I go through this.

Welcome Budman, I suggest you read StJude's thread she was regularly drinking up to 3 bottles of wine far into her TSM journey and then....she wasn't anymore. Pretty soon your brain is going to figure out that it's not getting the same old reward it's used to and then it will be a matter of breaking the habit of having that beer in your hand all the time. It can start subtly like not wanting that first beer until 9am, then noon, then not until 5pm. It may take many months for you but you may find as your numbers decrease and you slowly detox yourself that an AF day happens either with little or some effort. Your life is about change for the better. Strap in for the next 6-12 months and Nal-on!

Welcome Bud Man. We all can empathize with your pain, although alcoholic pain comes in all shapes and sizes. I agree with everything that people have said, above... The fact you had a honeymoon, initial side effects and increased clarity all point to eventual success on the method. However, as a fellow long-time boozer, I can tell you firsthand that you need to FIND "3-4" in the book and REPLACE with "6-12": TSM takes at least six to 12 months for boozers of 20-plus years. This is invariably the rule that we have learned firsthand on this board. But what we have also learned on this board is that the 80% efficacy rate quoted in the book appears to be spot-on. And since you have responded to naltrexone, I would estimate your chances of success are more like 99%: no one in the history of this board (and I've read almost every post) has the honeymoon, side effects and increased clarity only to conclude that TSM does not work. So the GREAT news is that it will almost assuredly work for you... But the lousy news is that it will take you a long time given the amount you drink and the length of your drinking history. But you will get there, I'm confident of it.

Welcome Bud-Man!!!

I like the fact that you have quietly begun TSM. You didn't post a word in your first 6 weeks. That's stealthy my friend! Interesting too!

Most of us battle our alcoholism by ourselves I suppose. The brave TSM'ers who bare their very souls reveal all kinds of extreme behaviors. Whether it's soiling one's drawers or passing out on a neighbor's porch.... man, I love this forum. I fit right in--- for once.

Most of us have found A.A. to be ineffective. Nick is the first one to explain that A.A. has a dismal 5% success rate, TSM enjoys an 80% success rate.

Do buckle up. Man is this a ride of unforeseen twists and turns. Criminy. And the longer you've been teaching your brain that drinking=endorphin rushes... the longer it will take to be stripped down to pre-alcoholic tendancy. You drink at all hours apparently. So this process will be a long one given your age and holding patterns.

Still, there is an eternity of hope!! You are on the right path!

My question: How did you come to find TSM and Naltrexone? Just curious.

I welcome you to this forum. Your thread will be powerful so please post often. I can't wait until you write that you haven't cracked a beer in the early morn.... that being said, that day is probably months away. But who knows? Who can predict when you, too, will regain control.

The sooner the better,

Ketchikan1