I find myself drinking alone more often while on nal, almost like naltrexone allows me to drink, which in a way is does. I have been on naltrexone for 3 weeks, and have seen a change in how I feel when drinking but I am still drinking much more than I would like. Tired of the hangovers. I am determined to keep taking naltrexone for 3 months minimum. When contemplating having another beer, I don't want one, but then I still grab one maybe out of habit, or I just think to myself 'might as well'. I hope my brain eventually stops thinking 'might as well have another'. Even though I know the beer will have little or no enjoyment, I still grab another one. I'll give it 3 months. Anyone else, feel like there is no reason for you to continue drinking yet you ignore what you are thinking and continue drinking?

Hi Neptune

I have felt on many nights that I could have finished but kept going until I finished what I had , I am on week 11 no major change but I do think habit has a role . The book says 3-4 months on average , I was hoping to be one of the fast responders but I will settle for the long haul . I wish you the very best .

J.

I have diet soda so i can grab a can and still go through the motions.

Neptune, I think that's what you're programming yourself out of. Your conscious mind knows that the beer will not satisfy, but your lower brain is going to take longer to get the message.

Definitely give it at least the official 3-4 months. It would be very, very early to declare failure. This is a process, not an event, and you've only begun.

Please read my posts, "Erk" is my sinclair method name. The next stage is a habit and it was my problem, craving gone but to overcome the habit is the other problem. Good luck. Nal works but it is not a miracle pill alcoholism is a mental dezise and since we are the brain we are the dezise. I was AF 2 weeks had 1 drinking eve, than 2 more AF weeks and 2 drinking eves and all this after 7 months. And on the drinking days I did not even want it just out of habit but it is definitely much better than 7,6,5...... Months ago.
Good luck to you.
Erk

At first I drank more frequently because it was suddenly safe to do so. Later I decided to have some enforced AF to break the new habit, and it worked.

Do not give up if after 3 or 4 months you see little change. Many people, especially heavy drinkers may find it needs a little more time. It took my brother about 5 to 6 months before TSM kicked in. He was not 'cured', but his drinking was significantly reduced and brought 'under control'. It will vary from one individual to another of course.

This post resonates with me, and the responses about being patient are so helpful. I'm just starting Wk 4 and I feel it's more the stupid habit of having the 3rd, or having 1 before I going out that is nagging at me. I had one night where I drank 4-5 and felt hungover the next day, and my digestive track is still far more IBS-ing than normal. My AF days are usually because I've had a hangover or have been more in touch with my regret than a conscious, fresh choice. I do feel like my cravings are lessening. I know the book says Antabuse only kicks up the desire for the reward when you start again, but wouldn't it help knock out the habit in a morale-boosting way if one is really motivated
Committed1

committed1, you're really not doing too badly there. Your drinking has dropped to almost half its pre-TSM level. Maybe just give it more time? If you're still unhappy at the five-month mark, "forcing" some AF days might be a good idea, but they might happen on their own if you just let the extinction work.

Thanks, Melissa. I feel like the hangovers are worse due to taking Nal, which I suppose is helping the extinction, is that your's and others' experiences?