meltus wrote:
If he is the same kind of alcoholic as I am, then he will only do what he wants to do with regards to drinking. If you try to control his drinking in any way it is very unlikely to work unless he is completely compliant to that idea.
I've tried to sober up alcoholics many times over the years and it usually ends in frustration and anger. Restrict access and he will become sneaky. If he chooses himself to buy weaker or less quantity, then it might work. It is very difficult because he is physically, mentally and habitually addicted. The pill will probably help him not drink when it isn't "needed" to make the withdrawal calm down, but the habit and the physical need to drink when feeling unwell is going to be tricky.
Personally I would decide if you are willing to put it with it anymore, make a reasonable ultimatum and stick to it. i.e. cut down one can in his daily consumption each week for example and otherwise prepare to move out. If you agree a method for him to cut down that isn't too extreme then it might work. At that level of consumption he probably is withdrawing even when very drunk.
He has been semi compliant to the idea of weaker or less quantity but in the end after a few days he will have some kind of excuse such as since it's weaker grade, then he should get more etc so I am starting to see, as how you said, he will only do what he wants to do with regards to drinking. I'm not trying to sober him up, just trying to help him gain control of his drinking and get his life back. And I agree with you totally, he is addicted mentally, physically and habitually. Nal works mentally, I've seen it and he has seen it too but the physical part is where he gives in and once he gives into the physical aspect of it, the habitual part naturally kicks in and the whole process is rolling again. What I would like to know is that, for someone who is drinking like this around the clock, how should the Nal be taken? I mean, does he need to take an extra 50mg every few hours? I told him that he needs to try to change his diet (start eating, take vitamins etc) and he refuses, even water - he says he's hydrated enough from the beer. Am I wrong for trying to help? But all in all, the emotional abuse is so hard to take and at the end of the day, it's the children who are hurt the most. I read through all the different posts of people on their way to recovery or being cured...I just wish my boyfriend was among them.
On another note, when he first started with TSM and was drinking only weaker beer (5,2%), about 6 cans per day, he managed to have a 1-3 AF days per week but I don't know if that was because of the honeymoon phase. He didn't have any of the physical withdrawals at all. But once he went back to the 7.5% beer, the withdrawals started. Does higher or lower content of alcohol play a role in whether TSM works better or not?
Should he try Campral together with Nal? Antabuse is out of the question, done that...AA and sobriety - went through that over and over, in and out of numerous rehab centers and back to drinking...

I don't want to betray someone in need of help by throwing in the towel when they need you most...

So confused