I have been doing TSM for about a week and a half, and I am very pleased with the results. Long story short - I have not read the book yet - but I did start treatment....now I am wondering - What if I decide not to drink? Do I take Nal or not? I have been taking it 1 hour before drinking. So far today, I do not think I will need a drink tonight so I am unsure of what to do - take Nal? Not take Nal? If I am to take it, what time? Or do I have one drink because I should at this point still? Any help? Thanks!

Welcome LH,

I do not take Nal on days that I don't drink.

However, being a daily drinker, I took a Nal every day, 1 hour before drinking for the first 5 weeks plus.

Now, I have added a few days where I don't drink, and I do not take the Nal. I believe that is basically what is in the book. I have not read the book either.

Keep us updated.

Some say you MUST drink if you take nal.

I've had days when I've taken Nal and by the time the hour is up decided I don't actually want to drink - and so I've not drank. It didn't stop me from reaching the 'cured' point, and I'm of the belief that any AF time is a bonus.

What I say is don't force yourself to drink, drink as you feel.

I honestly can't see any possible bad effect that taking a nal and deciding not to drink that day. Not taking nal 1 hour before re-enforces the pleasure alcohol brings, certainly the reverse in not true. ie, taking nal on AF day will not re-enforce your brain that alcohol is pleasure, simply b/c no alcohol is involved. I just think it would be a wasted pill.

I can't remember where I read it, but in one study someone did for Naltrexone that they had 2 control groups for. One group took Nal everyday and the other took a placebo and were told to abstain for 12 weeks. I think Dr Sinclair said that the control group that took the Nal and those who did not abstain ended up drinking less than those that abstained on Nal and that was a big reason for Dr Sinclair went ahead with his research.

My personal opinion on why the book says only take a nal when you drink ( I have not read the book BTW) is b/c of several reasons, one being that if you take the tablet every day, it encourages you to drink everyday. Where as, if you only take it when you plan to drink, you will have greater chance of increasing those AF days. Well that is my thoughts anyway.

"The Cure for Alcoholism" suggests that daily Naltrexone with or without drinking is ok for the first month or so. After that, Naltrexone can theoretically diminish other areas of life like decrease sex drive, zest for life, drive to exercise, etcetera. There is at least a risk for these negatives whereas there is no evidence that Naltrexone without drinking has any benefit.