Eh? Whose version of normal?

"Normal" = by and large the usual thing. It's not normal to be a drunk, and it's not normal to be a teetotaler.

That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with being a teetotaler. "Normal" doesn't mean "good."

I started TSM in July of 2013 and at that point I was drinking a bottle of wine a day, more at parties/functions/holidays. That was about 60 UK units per week. I have steadily reduced the amount I'm drinking and for the last few weeks have averaged 10 units per week with 4 AF days. I'm trying to go AF Mon to Thurs and have a glass of wine with dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. My aim was never to quit drinking completely (although I'm open to the idea if it happens) but to get to within "safe" limits and to try to get rid of the constant nagging feeling of wanting a drink. To that end, TSM has been successful for me. If I can keep this up over the next few weeks/months, I'll consider myself "cured".

Success here.

Started April 2011, cured beginning September 2011 - 5 months. Drank controlled for just under 2 years.

Been AF since July 2013.

Used TSM (as in took Naltrexone every time I drank alcohol) for 2 years 3 months.

I've came to look at "cured" in a different light. Looking back to 2012.. I think I was cured after a couple of months. My drinking was within healthy limits and I was never drunk. I was drinking the equivalent of under 20 US units a week. Drinking under control (Those are the key words)

The whole time I was waiting for the cravings to totally stop which might or might not have done, I'll never know.

Well the last sentence isn't totally true. Hopefully I'll know again in a few months as I'm about to start again. Touch wood it works the same way. I've no reason to see why not.

I've done TSM with moderate success for two years. With some degree of self-control, I was very comfortable at about 28 US units/week - down from 100-120 units per week before. But there was never a sign of "cure" and I was still a daily drinker, and I still kept lying to my doctors about my drinking. In the end, I did not feel comfortable with the prospect of being on naltrexone 100% of the time, and I had difficulties explaining doctors in ER (completely different issue) about naltrexone with no record of it ever prescribed to me.

Truth is, there is zero information about long-term safety and effects of high dose naltrexone AND the limited literature on TSM approach does not support the wild claims of 85% "cure". Bottom line: naltrexone/TSM seems to be a really useful crutch, not a miracle drug against alcoholism.

I am now trying abstinence. Past first two weeks of withdrawal symptoms, it's not actually too bad - easier than quitting smoking. The biggest problem is avoiding social drinking. I must invent some kind of disease that prevents me from drinking...

Nutella, there's a saying around here -- some people just have to slow the train down enough to jump off. Sounds like you jumped off. Good for you.

You still have nal in case you feel yourself falling of the wagon, right? I haven't consumed alcohol in . . . erm, a while, not really sure how long. Anyway, it's been a while, but I still have naltrexone in the cupboard should I feel the urge to drink.

I have straggled with alcohol for years. I posted my story few months ago. Went on Sinclair method March last year. I was struggling for months i thought it is not working for me. But gradually i stopped having black weekends while still drinking every evening. I have not even noticed when but the cravings started to be manageable, on a hang over day I could say no in the morning. I thought it was just me but now looking back it wasn't. I was always taking a pill an hour or 30 min before I hade a drink. I did not see much improvement in the amount that made me happy. But gradually I could say to myself, I will not make an extra trip to liquor store for more. I still struggled but it started to be manageable. By the end of January I started to have alcohol free evenings one here one there. Than I went a week alcohol free. Than 2 weeks. Ten it was 6 weeks. Than I had an evening with vodka and next morning was hang over but no craving, contrary absolutely no desire. Than an evening came, home alone kids out of the house, husband too. Perfect setting but no,no desire. Than conference and hotel setting, in a past i would drink in the evening in my room, this time not even a thought. So now, day after day I am testing myself would drink be an option for tonight. No!!! I feel this is it. I hope this is it.!!! I will post in e few weeks what to let you know how am I doing. For now as I look back it definitely was not me, not the AA meetings, after last meeting in January i had my last weekend sleep. No meetings since than ( I was not regular visitor anyway) and all of a sudden I am here. At the same time that I have started Sinclair method my friend in another country after rehab started Sinclair method too. She felt like me the meds are not helping, she has stopped taking Nal. I did not. She is steel drinking maybe less than before but every day and occasionally few days in the hands of the demons. I hope my story will encourage someone who is loosing hope!