Hello. I do apologize for this seemingly lazy post. I'm rather overwhelmed with the information presented on this site, and others. Within the last year or so, my ability to focus has more or less vanished due to my drinking, and I begin most days, including today, pretty hungover from the night before, so sifting through the various pages, posts, lengthy FAQ section, etc, is just something I know I won't do. For example, I tried to sign up for an account on this site there times, but couldn't get that stupid spam filter code correct, and gave up... finally, today, I got it on my fourth try. Furthermore, I did attempt to find a doctor in New York who could oversee my trial of the SM, but I haven't been successful there either.

As a result of the aforementioned, I am wondering if someone could just literally tell me what to do, in a very easy simple way. Just some bullet points-- like what's the exact name of the medication I should be getting, where do I get it (I understand I can buy it online?), and what dose do I buy? I know I'm supposed to take it an hour before I drink, but if that's not correct, tell me.

I realize there are other things to consider, as I've read various posts about behavior conditioning regarding other activities, even using the same medication for things like diet control etc... however, for the moment, I just need to get the ball rolling and if I need to know too much, work too hard, or think too strenuously, I know I won't do it. So, please, if there's someone who can just simplify this for me as tell me how to get safely started, I will be very grateful. And, if anyone knows a doctor in New York City who is familiar with all this, I'd be happy to go see her. Thanks.

Hello Geo,

I guess people are slow to reply as it is a little bit more complicated than buy this drug and take it. If things are that confused you probably would need to go and see someone so that they are in overall control of you and not someone on a forum.

The book 'the cure for alcoholism' is sold by amazon and loads of places its like a hand book to TSM. I would suggest getting this and reading it, its really simple and very repetitive and very easy to read; but mostly if like me you are going to do this without seeing a doctor you should be aware of side effects, when not to take the drug, and dosing etc.

I cant help you with a doctor in NYC but there must be one.

Welcome Geo! This is my basic perception of how to do TSM protocol. 1) Find a Dr who understands TSM. They will help you with a liver test and prescribe you 50mg of naltrexone or the equivalent. 2) First 2 days start off with 25 mg, 1/2 dose, 1 hour before drinking to help acclimate you to the effects of the naltrexone. After 2 days you will take 50mg 1 hour before drinking for the rest of your life. You should drink like normal. 3) Journal your alcoholic intake along with your emotional desire to drink. Have faith in the science as you keep the course and never, ever violate the Golden rule of taking naltrexone 1 hour before drinking. That's all there is. I personally did not do step 1. I went straight ahead and ordered online from alldaychemist their 50mg of naltrexone called naltima. I did not do a liver test. Hope it helps. Good odds your a lot closer then you could possibly imagine to being free of alcohol. Societies viewpoint of alcoholism as a life long struggle is false for a lot of us that follow this path. Please keep us up to date. It will help to keep you accountable while educating future participants who might have a similar problem. You can do it. Peace.

Thank you. I didn't drink yesterday. First time in quite a while. As such, my head is a little clearer today than usual. Though I would say I'm still a mere shadow of my actual mental abilities at this point. Kind of scary.

I will order the medication recommended and the book, and I'll read it.

A quick question-- and maybe it's more complicated than a quick answer, but I wanted to ask.

I'm sure people often use this as an excuse, and maybe I am too, though I don't think I am. I feel my professional life would be jeopardized if I stopped drinking altogether. I know, I know, that sounds crazy, but my work is basically funded by middle aged alcoholic housewives who view me as their outlet for fun. Also, in the entertainment industry, it is generally looked down upon to not drink at all. Ok, now that said, I want a change, and I'm willing to assume some risk in order to get healthier, but here's my question-- If I continue to drink a little, say a glass of wine or two with dinner, and a couple nights a week having maybe 2 or 3 martinis, it's my understanding that scientifically speaking, I won't be capable of "enjoying" the alcohol, so I won't overdo it. But does that mean I won't enjoy anything else I'm doing at the same time? Like, if I restrict my drinking to work events only, which means I'll have taken my medication, will I grow to dislike my work as well? If I drink on a date, will I grow to dislike sex afterwards? If there's already a thread about this, please direct me to it... I'm just wondering what my strategy should be.

Once you're cured, there will be nothing stopping you from having a few drinks either once in a while or several times a week. You must only take the naltrexone an hour before drinking alcohol.

You may find that the cured version of you no longer sees alcohol as so important to your career. Then again, maybe not -- maybe current you is 100% correct. The main thing is that it will be your choice, not driven by an addiction.

Now I'm very curious about what your career is! My best guess is that you play piano in bars--probably completely off base, but if true I can tell you that I know of at least two people who do that successfully while completely sober (one in AA, one a lifelong nondrinker).

Regardless, you raise some good questions. Ideally you would want to separate the drinking from the activities you want to fully enjoy, but that's not always easily accomplished (I find myself drinking more often than I would prefer just because bars are usually the best venues for dates). But these are questions that you can wrestle with once you've reduced your craving levels.

Plantpr0 already stressed this, but I will reiterate: following the Golden Rule is critical. TSM demands an extremely high rate of compliance to be effective--every slip does some damage, even if you can ultimately recover from them.

Will send a PM with the name of my doctor--I'm not sure he wants his name splashed across these forums.

I agree with plantpr0's advice, but also skipped going to the doctor. I buy the nal off alldaychemist. It's apparently important that you get uncoated.

I may be buying Nal from alldaychemist as I just was prescribed 3 months, 90 pills and it cost me $567.00 CAD (that is like $6.30 a pill) but thank god I have extended medical here in Canada and I need to send my receipts in for a refund so hopefully I will get a big chunk back,crazy!
I know it's not on the up and up but I did tell my Doctor that I am going to take Nal, abstain and am doing online meetings, support etc. She did not know much about the drug (she is very old school) and had to look up that it does treat alcoholism but only when abstaining from alcohol with some sort of AA or Rehab with it. Anyway she gave me 3 months and said she would not give me anymore because that it should be enough for me per the book. So I told a white lie just to get some,sad eh! I know if I had told her about TSM she never would have gone for it and wouldn't have prescribed me any pills.
I also bought the book but The Golden Rule is easy peasy, Just take a pill at least 1 hour before you drink and if you want an AF day no pill....Also I really suggest you track your daily intake and add it up weekly then you can have something to compare each week pof your progress to.
The pill is Naltrexone but does go under different names as mine is ReVia Naltrexone because I am in Canada and that is all they carry.
Maybe others can comment on the names that their Naltrexone goes by in ths US, etc.