Curious for successful TSMers:
How long does extinction take?
When I started, I was warned by others that an immediate dip was common and then a rise back up, and not to be discouraged. As you can see from the numbers, that’s exactly what happened.

For TSMers that have experienced this:
How long did successful extinction take you, and what did it feel like?
I’ve also read the posts re nodict vs naltima, and started chewing the tablets..not sure if I notice any difference.

Prospects,
The length of the path to extinction is highly variable. I have read where some super responders regain control in a matter of weeks. However they are by far the exception, on the other side of the spectrum it takes some people up to two years before completely regaining control. If I had to guess I would say that the average is somewhere around one year.

Unfortunately for me I have been at it for about 16 months, I am much better shape today than I did when I started however I am still on completely in control.

Diver

Thanks for sharing Diver.
Do you mean you are still not completely in control?
Wow,2 years so definitely more than the 3-4 months that the TSM book talks about?
One doctor at a clinic did tell me 9 months to a year.
How does one even know its working if it takes this long? Anyone else care to weigh in? Maybe the stories I’m looking for are on another thread around here ..
I guess I don't feel significantly different almost 6 months in, although the numbers have seem to come down somwhat.

Hi Prospect

I know exactly how you feel - just look at my numbers!
Feel discouraged sometimes but I will not give up, I will stick it out and I really cant wait to be the one to post my amazement at how well this method works - sometime in the future.
We have to continue - we really dont have any other choice. My new tablets arrive this week and I might up the dose every second night or something, Saw a post here lately that suggested that. Must look it up again.
Best of luck with your journey - we are all in the same boat!!!

FallingToPieces

Yes, some people seem to respond very quickly, while others take 1 to 2 years. That makes it hard to predict, for sure. All we know is that for those who stick with it, 80% are cured, which is the highest success rate of any method or medication. The book suggests 3 to 4 months, but clearly for many it takes longer. When can YOU anticipate it happening? Somewhere between 2 weeks and 2 years! 9 months to a year seems to be a fairly common, ie., average time. The answer really is: as long as it takes! An 80% chance of being CURED of your alcoholism are darn good odd's. Check out "The CURED List" section to specifically see some times. Good luck to you!

Thanks both of you for your thoughts.
I guess you keep on going till you get there!
I will check out the success stories thread, thanks for the suggestion.

I started in April 2011 and really felt successful about 8 months later in December 2011. I would talk myself out of drinking at all because I didn't want to take the Nal, drink the alcohol, and not feel anything. In other words, I started to choose more entertaining activities instead of drinking. The other big thing I noticed is that some of my favorite drinks weren't pleasant to drink anymore. I was, and still am, unable to drink my beloved Vodka & Soda or Captain & Diet. It really is a challenge to swallow what I used to guzzle, guzzle, guzzle. Now I drink mostly craft beers in order to mix it up a bit and try different beer flavors.

I did stop taking Nal for a few months in 2012 (prescription ran out, felt I could control without it). It didn't work. Over time I was back to 50+ drinks a week, drinking 5-6 times per week. I started staying out late, missing work, and experiencing horrible hangovers all over again. I got my **** together and started TSM and quickly came back to what I consider safe and desirable levels. I now carry it everywhere and keep an extra tablet in my car, office, and home.

This thread has been helpful, though discouraging. Of course, I'd been counting on Naltrexone diminishing the craving for alcohol much more quickly. I'm currently doing a brief period of AF days, because I am on break from work and can better handle anything that may come up as a result of stopping. (Usually very cranky, lethargic and headachy through first 3-4 days.) Given that some people have taken 9 months, a year or even longer to get full results, I guess I'll stick with it, and hope that just the brief reset will somehow make it easier to drink more moderately when I do choose to drink again.

My guess is that you are looking at a solid year, perhaps more, to see the full effects of TSM extinction.

Q

This is a very good point. In my first round with TSM, I got to a point where I asked myself if I really wanted to take Nal so I could drink and I often said no.