Hello

I am a male, 23 years old. I am not everyday drinker, but here is my story and I would like to know may I get some help for my problem from TSM?

Last 3-4 years I have been drinking once or twice a month very heavily (at least 500ml vodka per drinking). About 12 hours a row until I do not remember anything and I will wake up in the next morning (thankfully I have finished 99% of these times in my bed, but I do not remember how I get home). Between these heavy drinkings i have 2 or 3 beers in a week or even less and I do not feel any need of an alcohol. But when I get little bit drunk, then I can not stop before I do not remember anything. Next day I feel shame and I have massive hangovers and I swear to myself, that I must get back the control of drinking, but I can not. Lately I did a brake of drinking, about 2 months and I thought, that I would like to try bit when I went out with my friends. First 5 or 6 drinks were OK, but it all ended as usual - I did not remember how did I get home and I drank over 500ml of strong alcohol. I would like to have a glass of beer sometimes or glass of wine, but I am really scared, that it may end up as usual. I admit, that I have alcohol problem, even my friends say it to me when they see me with hangover..... May TSM help me somehow or is it for regular drinkers only?

Naltrexone has two effects: a) it reduces your desire for alcohol the night you take it, and b) it reduces urges long-term.

It seems like you don't have long term urges, so no need for (b). Naltrexone could still be a valuable tool for you, though, because of effect (a). Take it on those occasions (I'm assuming parties/bars) when you do drink. Don't screw around with 25mg for too long-- take 50mg. I believe that it will be a tool that will help you slow your drinking down on party nights.

Try it-- you have absolutely nothing to lose.

Is here anybody else in the forum with same problem that I have? I would like to get more replys from all of You, before making decision.

Thanks

Potato was a couple times a month drinker just like you. She wouldn't touch alcohol but every once in a while but when she did it all ended bad. Same kind of stuff you describe.

She is cured now. Search her posts, her story goes back about a year on this board.

I too look forward to other opinions, but from the look of things, you only have two choices:

1) try to reign in your drinking using willpower and whatever methods you want. But you admit that this hasn't worked out too well-- you still find yourself drinking way too much on party nights. Or,
2) Take Nal on party nights, hopefully helping you slow down that night.

Why are you hesitant of the second option? What are the downsides? The medication is pretty cheap, and minimal side effects. Try it. If you don't like it, stop taking it and look for another solution.

You don't have an alcohol problem yet the way most people on this forum do. But you do have *a* problem. You don't drink often, but you have a hard time stopping when you do. IMHO, you are in serious risk of becoming a full-blown alcoholic later in life. Look around you: you find it impossible to stop, but your friends don't. Every guy in their early 20s does their share of drinking, puking, blackouts-- it's normal college life. But I caution that, by the sound of things, you are different. You are like the people on this forum when we were younger.

Even if you don't decide to take NAL now, take my advice: watch your drinking. Unlike your friends, you're a prime candidate for developing alcohol dependency some day. If you don't take steps to at least KEEP AN EYE ON this beast now, it could have serious consequences later in life.

Hey

Lo0p: Thanks for the information about potato -s posts and story - I will read it for sure.

nemo: You describe and understand my situation very well. That is why I am looking for help to control my alcohol consumption. I would like to get back to the regular level, where I was 3-4 years ago: 1 drinking session per month and 4-6 drinks per drinking session. I am afraid, that if I do not do anything at the moment, then it is harder to control THE BEAST.

I have done a research for cure possibilities and Nal seems to be the best choice, because I do not want to cut off alcohol out of my life completely - I just want to reduce and control the consumption.

Before ordering my first package on Nal I still have few questions.

1. Should I buy a book "The Cure of Alcoholism" before starting to take Nal, or is my drinking not at that level yet to have help from the book?
2. If I start taking Nal, then should I try do drink less when I have parties or just go with the regular amounts till the blackout (I know, that it takes time when Nal starts to show results, but I am afraid that I can hurt myself when I am drinking next time till blackout again)?
3. I wrote, that I drink just one day a month, but heavily (till blackout). How soon I have possibility to start seeing progress and not getting blackouts when I start taking Nal? 3rd drinking session with Nal? 4th? 5th? 6th? 7th?
4. Should I start keeping diary how much drinks I have per drinking session and how often I drink?

Many thanks for the replies !!!

marfabiaan, the good news is that you've taken the most important step: seeking out help yourself.

>1. Should I buy a book "The Cure of Alcoholism" before starting to take Nal, or is my drinking not at that level yet to have help from the book?

Yes, definitely read the book. It will help you understand how NAL works.

>2. If I start taking Nal, then should I try do drink less when I have parties or just go with the regular amounts till the blackout (I know, that it takes time when Nal starts to show results, but I am afraid that I can hurt myself when I am drinking next time till blackout again)?

Haha definitely try to drink less when you party! Nal is only a tool-- it's still up to YOU to drink less.

The book will help you understand this more. "The Sinclair Method" refers to the long term "extinction" of alcohol cravings. However, since you're not a frequent drinker (i.e. "an alcoholic") The Sinclair Method will not work on you. Technically what I'm recommending for you is not The Sinclair Method.

I have suggested taking Nal because, in addition to the long-term effects, it makes you want to drink less *the night you take it*, when you take it one hour before drinking.

>3. I wrote, that I drink just one day a month, but heavily (till blackout). How soon I have possibility to start seeing progress and not getting blackouts when I start taking Nal? 3rd drinking session with Nal? 4th? 5th? 6th? 7th?

Ideally, Nal will make you want to drink less every time you take it-- including the first time. It may make you content to drink slowly, or you may only want 6, as opposed to 10. Be aware that it effects people differently. I suggest combining Nal with a couple other mental tools/tricks to slow down your drinking. These can include: drinking water/soft drinks after every few drinks to slow you down, asking your friends to let you know when you seem drunk, keeping a count of drinks with pen marks on your hand, drink only beer (not liquor!)... Whatever works.

>4. Should I start keeping diary how much drinks I have per drinking session and how often I drink?

Definitely. Again, you have a problem and there's nothing to lose by keeping a diary. Only to gain.

Hey

Great answers nemo and many thanks to YOU!

I understand, that taking Nal before drinking is something else than TSM (the name of the topic is my mistake).

So now I will:

1. Order the book and read more about Nal
2. Order a package of Nal
3. Start a diary and also a topic about my progress if my Nal arrives

Trying to get control over my drinking...until then I will be often visitor of this fourm

For a 22 yr old guy, I'd say you're pretty astute to recognize that your party behavior now might be trouble down the road. I partied a lot in college but then became a very moderate drinker once I graduated. Over the years, somehow my "moderation" morphed into a full-blown addiction. So I commend you for recognizing the signs early on. Whether TSM will work for you, it can't hurt to try. Remember, the method works only when you drink, and drink over time. GL!!!

Thanks hoping4better for thinking, that I am clever to recognize, that I have an alcohol problem.

I have been working few years as a bartender and I have seen a lot, what an alcohol can do with a person. Also I have seen many bartenders having huge alcohol and gambling problems. I think, that the main reason why I am understanding that I have a problem is that my friends and one family member have told me that for several times and I have started to analyze my behavior and drinking sessions - conclusion is that I can not stop when I have more than 5 or 6 drinks.

I think it is already a problem for me, because I am not controlling alcohol, it is controlling me .

Just placed order for the book (arrive in 2 days) and for the Nal from River Pharmacy (arrive in 8-10 days).

Hoping to get back the control of alcohol consumption.