For those who have had long(er) battles with trying to deal with problem drinking - especially through abstinence programs - I think letting Nal work without forcing it IS the needed light bulb experience. It has been for me at least. I am only on week six, but I have drastically and progressively cut down. The first two weeks I still had the strong habit to drink and did just that. But the reward just wasn't and still isn't there. My profound aha moment came in the middle of week two when I left early from work to, well, drink, and ended up at an empty pizza place with a small pepperoni and a beer. I drank it and ordered another. I was really focused on what I was feeling, and three sips in to the next pint, I honestly and actually did not WANT to finish it. Just like that. It was a huge moment and the first time something I did changed my attitude toward alcohol to the core without even trying or forcing. Now, I didn't suddenly go AF, but it has been a remarkable few weeks after this as my relationship with the bottle has fundamentally changed.

I had to admit to the addiction counselor that I see as part of my own personal journey that one reason I was not going AF is because it is like playing with a new toy that I have wanted My entire adult life. The spectacle of drinking a beer or glass of wine, sipping it, and stopping, or even leaving half is something absolutely crazy foreign to me, and I find it truly fascinating. Part of me believes it is very helpful to establish this foundation before going full AF - if that is the ultimate goal. Or even to just enjoy not having alcohol as a central life issue.

Cheers!

After a month on the protocol I decided to include a weekly goal of units. I find it's very helpful, and it gives you an idea about the regaining of control and it also helps motivation.

Thanks for the suggestion triplab as I have decided to change my Units to Drinks to track my progression as I am too confused with Units.
It would be really great if we all used the same calculator that triplab does
http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov ... ulator.asp
so we can all be on the same page!

I wanted the power and dependency on alcohol to go away, I wanted the consquences to go and for me to be free. Deep in my heart I wanted to be AF but was prepared to drink to get there.

During TSM I recognised the times I really didn't want to drink, the times I wanted to not drink as much and I acted upon that. There were times when I drank through nal, it was what I wanted at the time, but most of the time I wanted to have the choice to not drink. I did have enforced AF days, but not until well into the process and once I had a few of these progress seemed to be boosted.

I am now long term AF, that decision came over 2 years after starting TSM, when it became obvious that I was ready to leave alcohol.