Jaba I'd talk the hind legs off a donkey to tell you the truth if anything alcohol quietened me down! I'm actually just trying to get a picture of what drinking on nal would be like and yes I'm trying to see it without the euphoric factor,I've realised that it was this that kept me going back to drinking but towards the end I was drinking just to keep withdrawals at bay.I actually met up with a friend today in a bar and had 3 non-alco beers which I'm told is like playing with fire,but surprisingly only had the odd fleeting craving maybe more to do with the environment I was in,the friend I met up with is also an active alcoholic and I was trying to explain to him about nal and tsm,he'd never heard of it before but could see how it would work.by the way you sound as if you are making progress,I truly hope you find a day when you will be able to say "I don't drink". Best wishes

Drinking no alcohol beer is what ever you make it.I can't see the point and would would have a water, diet coke, herbal tea or black coffee or even nothing at all. Can't see the point in pretending. Sounded almost as if you are trying to explain to yourself.

At the end of the day there is no way to tell how how you'll drink on nal. It may be controlled, or you may go off the rails.

Uk Blonde,

I think some just like the taste of beer. I had a manager that would buy non-alcoholic beer when she was pregnant, until I told her that it still had alcohol in it. My b.f. dad died from liver cancer results of al. and he would buy the stuff by the case and drink it in a night or two, unfortunately after a couple weeks of doing that she would find him at a bar needing a ride home.

Santiago,

I am assuming too much and I am glad you were not thinking about using the nal. so you can be more sociable (you know what they say about assuming). I do hope that I explained the feeling of nal. when you take it. I am unsure if you can understand unless you are on it. It is a little scary because you can still get drunk.

Hope you find you way,

Jaba

On the rare occasions I meet friends in a bar I'd normally drink it,its more the taste of hops that puts me a bit more at ease though I'd agree it is fairly pointless.I'd kinda imagine it's what drinking alcohol on nal would be like , I suppose it's the 6 million dollar question. Can I drink safely on nal or will I go off the deep end.

Santiago,

I think both. I think you will be just like everyone else. I am assuming that alcoholism runs deep in your family like everyone else in this forum (once again assuming), so you will be a good candidate. You will go on the deep end, and experience nal. overs and then want more control, and in 3 to 6 months your desire will lessen (sometimes 1 year to 2 for some). The first week or so, some claim the taste of al. changes, I thought my wine had no taste or was too sweet and sometimes it's still like that. Your desire is not as strong at first and you will start getting cocky thinking you are going to be a fast responder. Then the drinking picks up. I was never back to 2+ bottles of wine a night, but I did get to 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 bottles and then the nal. overs hit.

Drinking non-al. beer is nothing like drinking on nal., for I found out that you can very drunk on the nal. and actually sometimes faster and it didn't stop me from putting that glass to my mouth.

The nal. is a tool for you brain to become rewired into realizing that you are not going to get any pleasure from al. and that gives you the strength to leave it alone and eventually your cravings stop altogether, so you will drink because you want to and not because you have to.

Did you understand what I meant by that "ha" moment from that first drink? If not I will try to find where I read it somewhere else, for I know someone has described it better!

Jaba

Yeah it runs on both sides of my family,I'd say it was a contributing factor in the death of my grandfather.before my last relapse I had two or three one night benders but looking back I was only priming myself to go off the deep end,I think I stayed drunk for two months after that.yeah I get you with the "ha" moment.in my mind I was envisioning taking nal for the first time and having maybe three beers and continuing on with that level off drinking.

Santiago,

I think all of our dreams are to be able to take that pill and be able to have control. Retread (who was in a.a.) has just had another slip, but he/she was setting out to get drunk and did; however, has no craving and no problem with being alcohol free. If you have time, read retreads progress so you can understand the process a little more. Actually, reading others progress might be a really good idea to see how this rollercoaster can be. Nothing is cut and dry and black and white. There are still challenges with this method just different ones.

Jaba

I had a look at a few threads alright,seems to be kinda hit and miss and like you say not without its challenges.I'm kind of the mind frame now of going on the trip and doing my best to stay AF,truth be told I'd enjoy it more.

Santiago,

I am glad to hear that. Please let us know how the trip went. I have never been to Asia, and that sounds wonderful!

Jaba

It's a great place,probably just me reminiscing of my younger wilder days when alcohol was a friend on my first trip there that has this notion in my head.