Hi, I'm new to this list, but have been investigating TSM for some time, and just wrote an article about it for another forum. I'm sober in AA for many years, so this has no interest for me personally, but I am concerned for the many alcoholics who come to AA and it does not work for them (and frankly I have issues with AA myself - the god stuff). TSM looks like a very good solution, which I would like to promote, none the least to our local doctors and alcohol counselor, but I have not found much found much on the long term success (won't take much for it to be better than AA, but still, would like to hear about it). Dr Sinclair did a follow-up study until 3 years, and I did contact Dr Eskapa, who told me that there isn't much about it yet, but that he does observe a problem with long term compliance with taking naltrexone as prescribed, but it seems to me there must be a lot of folks who have success beyond 3 years by now, maybe they're just hiding, and probably there are also some that long term haven't had satisfactory success in spite of rigorous compliance even if initially it was promising. I would really like to hear from both, and it would probably also be a benefit to your site to have such a topic anyway.

Hi, life. I'm a newcomer coming to TSM abstinent from AA seeking a more peaceful, long-term, less life encompassing solution to our dilemma. I've researched TSM for a number of months before deciding to take the plunge and have found unlike aa there are few 'old timers' as found in the halls. This of course could be a couple factors. Perhaps a lack of success for some, but equally a finite solution to the problem that does not warrant ongoing participation. Periodically, you will see older forum members check in, but it is hardly the norm.

I'm a little surprised Dr. Espaka was not of greater assistance in that the whole of Finland has been utilizing this treatment method for I think a couple decades if I'm not mistaken. I would suggest contacting Joanna at the cthreefoundation (joanna@cthreeeurope.com)who is a helpful presence and addiction councillor on their forum: http://optionssavelives.freeforums.net/. Further, I would contact Claudia Christian producer of the documentary 'One Little Pill' who has had success with TSM since 2009.

Lastly, I applaud your efforts in spreading awareness of TSM through aa. However, my understanding is that aa as an organization has no interest in presenting other methods of treatment and speaking personally their members are far from receptive.

Best...

Bardo,
This is actually for a bunch of agnostic/atheists/freethinkers in AA. there is more openmindedness there. We're a relatively small contingent of AA members of a perhaps a few thousand at present, and don't propose to speak for AA as a whole, but would like to see AA more openminded on many issues. if you would like to read it (probably nothing you don't already know) - but more so perhaps read the reactions to it, it will be at aabeyondbelief.com on Sunday, and anyone is welcome to comment after registration. And I think comments from people that have gone through TSM would be very welcome.

I'm at the two year eight month mark - not quite the three years you're looking for. Anyway, long term cured. Went abstinent on 1 April 2013, although over the last six months might have consumed three or four bottles of wine in total - always after Nal, of course. It's just not an issue.

Feel free to search for my earlier posts if you can be bothered, if you'd like a little more detail. I've posted a few times here.

I suspect that the long term cured just don't come here. Once you're healed you seldom frequent the hospital!


All the best,

c