Hi JMS,

That's a good question. I'm not sure I am able to distinguish between physical and mental cravings. The cravings I am talking about were the thoughts about my next drink, the inability to walk past the wine rack in the supermarket without wanting to buy two bottles. There was always this nagging impulse to plan my next drink. The amount, the circumstances, the place - all of that. Those are all mental, I suppose. But that's what the conditioned behaviour is, I think. Anyway, that's all missing now. And that appears to be the success of the Sinclair Method, for me.

I'm sorry if my initial post in this thread came across as if I'm attacking members of this forum. I didn't mean to. This site certainly helped me when it seemed that I was getting nowhere. I'd like to contribute in return, that's all. I guess that means airing my views, and what I think worked for me. In hindsight, that's all anyone is doing on here, isn't it?

I guess the complaint I see a lot of on here is "I've been following the golden rule for XX weeks and my units have dropped. What am I doing wrong?" My experience seems to indicate that the Sinclair Method can be a path to success even though your units don't drop. Hopefully there are people on here going through exactly that, that can take a little comfort in my story ...

c

Android,

Thanks for the response. Yes, it's those mental demons that you speak of that are haunting me. I would call those mental cravings. To me, physical cravings are what you get when your body reacts negatively to the absence of alcohol. All of my consumption at the moment is done under the radar, so to speak. For all intents and purposes to those close to me, I'm not drinking. Maybe I am fooling myself in thinking that they don't notice, but I don't believe that to be the case. Knowing my history and my family's reaction to my drinking, I know it would not be tolerated. With that said, I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about drinking and I don't want to do that any longer. I spent the better part of 4 years in AA trying to rid myself of those thoughts and they never went away, despite using the Ouija Board and all of the mystical incantations. I heard stories of people that were miraculously cured, but it didn't work for me in that manner. That simultaneously frustrated the hell out of me and scared the daylights out of me. I knew that it was only a matter of time where I would give into the demons.

I am curious if you found that those thoughts left you suddenly or was it a matter of time? If it was time, how long did it take and did it start before or after you began forcing the AF days? Sorry for being so nosy, but we have many similarities including age, weight, and length of time on TSM before seeing demonstrable results. Any feedback is helpful for me. I really feel like I am cresting a hill and getting ready to start down the other side towards permanent sobriety (my goal).

With regard to your first post, I was not offended in the least. I too think that there are people on here that are dispensing advice that they have no business giving. And in some cases it is dangerous. NAL is a powerful drug and should be managed as such. I simply wanted to explain what I feel the nature and purpose of this community to be. It has helped me a great deal as well. But sharing my experiences relative to my circumstances is important to others that are traveling down this path. There are certain fundamental truths in working with TSM. The primary one in my mind is the golden rule. Sharing that with others can save a lot of pain and frustration for someone new to the protocol. That's my two cents.

For me it was sudden. I only noticed the absence of cravings when I forced AF days. And that's where I am now. While I am abstinent I feel no cravings. When I last (that three month period at the start of last year) I drank to excess as I've always done. I didn't even like it, I just did it. I don't know why.

That's why I think, for me, the excessive drinking was a combination of factors. And the behaviour was really driven by, or kick started by, the cravings. Without the cravings, I can just avoid the path completely. And I think it was the Sinclair Method that kicked the cravings for me.

I can't actually put my hand on my heart and swear that the Sinclair Method is responsible for my "cure". I did not experience the gradual decline in consumption. so maybe it didn't work for me and I just found my own way out. But all I know is, I have tried many times in the past to give up alcohol and never lasted more than a few weeks. I started The Sinclair Method in 2011 and continued for over a year. Now in April 2014 I have been abstinent for the last 12 months, abstinent for 19 of the last 24 months, and have no desire to ever drink again. Whatever the reason, I'm really happy with the outcome.

I wish you the best also.


c