Hi guys, so I am drinking today, first time on Nal in my life. It feels strange, I am getting some kind of warm relaxation. But I am generally relaxed recently and happy in my life so I am not tensed. Anyway I started 10 minutes ago, it's gin & tonic, I am planning to drink one big drink. Not more because I live with my parents and I don't want to get drunk or something. We agreed on one drink and I hope to not want to drink more. I think I will test the effects later on in a few weeks maybe. So far I am drinking just one big glass

Congratulations on getting started! Have you read Dr. Eskapa's book? Someone here can get you a free PDF copy.

What's your drinking been like before you started with the Naltrexone (i.e. you drink every day, you don't drink most of the week, then you binge drink, that sort of thing)?

Normally with TSM, you would have a drink, then stop and ask yourself if you really wanted another. If yes, then you would have another (with a glass of water in between), then repeat that for the next drink. Not trying to get you to break your agreement with your parents, but your approach to TSM depends on how you were drinking before.

Well.. actually.. I am having another drink. I hope it is not my failure? I kinda made myself another drink without my parents knowing about it because they will not check the amount left in the bottle of gin, I hope. I am now beginning to feel the BUZZ.. It is different. But you know what, I also quit antidepressants a week ago. So I am having some withdrawal symptoms like brain zaps.. Everything mixed up - but I am still much more sober than if I drank that amount without Nal.

That's ok, just keep on pausing between the drinks and ask yourself if you really want the next one. Your brain has gotten to be on autopilot about drinking, so consciously interrupt the process and keep on asking that question. That's a skill you will use time and time again, you're trying to "light up" a part of the brain that has fallen into disuse wrt drinking. While you're working that angle, Nal will be chipping away on the craving.

How much a day were you drinking before you started TSM?

Before Nal I had abstinence periods and drinking episodes. Before therapy 2011 I had terrible binge. I wasn't able to drink more than 3 days in a row but when I did I drank about 1 liter per 24h

Ok, it sounds like you're starting out fine then. Have a look at Joanna's first post in "Lizzy's" thread, she talks about what a binge drinker should do as opposed to a daily drinker:

http://optionssavelives.freeforums.net/ ... olic-years

Keep in mind that you don't really need any more than one drink to move the extinction process one step forward. Just don't ever drink without taking the Nal and waiting an hour. Ever.

What Antidepressant were you taking, btw? I've noticed a lot of people posting that SSRI's can make people crave alcohol more, but it seems to vary from person to person, AD to AD. It's not a sure thing.

In Polish - Venlectine
In general - Venlafaxine.
Can you tell me anything?
I took it i since 2012. I quit a week ago. I also quit Chlorprothixen - for good sleep
I want to be free of chemical products, is it possible to take only Nal?

We know it as Effexor here in the US, it does seem to be one of those that can cause cravings. You can google:

Effexor alcohol cravings

and take a look at what people say.

I have to get out the door and tend to some errands, maybe someone else will pop in and give some advise. None of us are doctors here, so we can't say take this or stop taking that, but we'll do our best to help you out any other way we can.

Welcome Lilavi,

I am excited that you starting TSM today! For things are going to change for you in the next 3-6 months!

Pace yourself for you can still get drunk and it can cause hangovers in the morning. I have found drinking a lot of water in between sips and glasses of alcohol very helpful to slow down my intake.

Did you stop taking your meds under medical supervision? I just want to make sure that your doctor is aware of that and are they are that you are doing TSM?

It is okay if you have not found a TSM doctor for a lot of us have a hard time finding one, or would rather do this without AUD on our medical record; however, stopping antidepressants is a different story.

Did you taper off the Effexor?

Please remember the only thing that matters in TSM is the golden rule--always take the nal and wait that hour before drinking alcohol. There is no guilt/failure. If you have a moment (and most of us do) where you do not wait that entire hour or you do not take the nal, it is not failure and there is no guilt, it just is the nature of the beast. Dust yourself off and move forward with the promise to always follow the golden rule. You have to drink on nal for this to work. There will be highs and lows throughout this process, but when you follow that golden rule you will have progress.

I am excited to read about your progress,

Jaba

I tapered off the medicine not quite under my doctor's supervision because I don't visit her anymore but my sister is an addiction therapist and she asked the doctor in where she works, and doctor said that I am doing it right.
Yesterday I had more drinks than I wanted but it was still not so much as in the past and today I am having a huge hangover. It is just not worth it. I hope not to drink more than one drink or one beer in future.