Pre TSM averaged 40 plus units per week
Week 1 27.5, Week 2 35, Week 3 41, Week 4 30. 10 AF days total. I'm just concerned that my drinking isn't slowing much although it's only been 4 weeks.

Well from my experience on this site, you need to give it up to a year or more. Stay hopeful, Keek

Hi retread, look at my numbers on my signature. I know that I have to give this at least 3-4 months if not much longer as I see many it can be anywhere up to a year. I get it that we want to see instant results but sounds like that's not the way it works. It has taken us many years to become addicted so we need to be patient and let the Nal do it's work on re-programming our brains. You are doing much better with AF days than me so there's that!
Just stay with the protocol and wait for the science to work as they say.
Glad to see you are on this Forum and hopefully you will keep us updated as it is so great to have others along on the TSM journey.

Well, if nothing else, the math says there is progress. You say you would have had at least 40 per week x 4 weeks, so 160 on your own. With Nal in the first 4 weeks you shaved 26.5 drinks off the low end of your usual. Plus 10 AF days! And now you are at the point most of us come to that you question your progress and want to see more and faster results. But TSM is not made with a cookie cutter, and results may vary. You know if your drinking feels different doing what you are doing now, the rest is perseverance and time healing the brain. As long as you follow the Golden Rule, I think inertia will eventually push you to your goal, whatever that may be. For me personally, I am not one who can just wait around in a vacuum for results, I need a clearly defined goal (total indifference) and I have sought other ways to enhance the protocol through supplements, counseling, nutrition, exercise etc. I was in a pretty dark place when I took my first pill. We all dug ourselves in to a hole with alcohol, some just dug deeper.

The way I look at it is that I didn't become an Alcoholic overnight, it actually took me about 7-8 years of practicing heavy drinking before the tipping point for me being a full fledged alcoholic at around age 24-25; this was 30 years ago!
That being the case I can not realistically expect the Neural Pathways to be erased by Naltrexone in a month, 6 months or even a year. So for me, I recognize the need for patience for the "extinction process" to take place. I (will)try to avoid over thinking this process as well.
I'm into my 3rd week on Nal so it is early days for me. I'm good with where I'm at. My wife supports me and as I'm a binge drinker it will take longer I believe for me to notice a lessening in craving than perhaps a daily drinker would.
So, is this "progress"? I will choose to believe that it is for me. I hope that you might also choose to believe it as well so that your path becomes easier to travel.

Maybe it can also help to remember that extinction follows a downward curve (extinction curve) which means that most people will see a drop in the beginning and then it slowly decreases over time. This usually also explains the "honeymoon period" people experience in the beginning.

Thanks to all for the advice and support. Last week I had 37 drinks and 2 AF days. It's weird however AF days are easier to achieve for me than moderating on NAL. One thing I have noticed is that although I still become buzzed to a degree, the fatigue is more powerful than the buzz part. This is NOT pleasurable. Rather than a high, I just get slow and tired. Is this the extinction process at work?
Thanks,
Retread

hello retread,

yes me too... no buzz means total zonked feeling, I am much more aware of being drunk, more aware of the drink, and a lot more tired with it. I was even thinking today that I am probably more accurate with my units now I don't totally over do it, I have on and off recorded my units for 18 months and often would guess at an amount.. now I pretty much know. HOWEVER I also have to agree that AF days seem easier but moderation? whats that then?

I think its fantastic progress. Their was an immediate decline once the protocol was started. Your 1 month into 1 of the best, if not the best systems out there. You've acclimated to the nal. Give it the minimum of 3 to 4 months to see if its working for you. How could it possibly be better?

Looks like progress to me!

Keep in mind that when you see a published extinction curve from a clinical trial, that it's the average of ALL the subjects in the study. The curve of any given individual, however, is going to show up and down deviation.

What's important is where you start and where you end up. Where you are in the middle doesn't matter so much (but I think where you are in the middle can lead to questioning and perhaps skepticism).

Stay the course and let the Nal do it's work!