I have been on NAL since January. In the beginning I had the honeymoon period where I did not want to drink, although I never had any alcohol free days!

It's now May and my intake has doubled and I am concerned. I have read lots here and some say try to have AF days, but I find it easier said than done!

I live alone in a small village out of town, and much as I like the peace, I am lonely and use alcohol as a companion.

Also I have read on here that some people can take up to a year to respond......I just want to say I am a bit despondent, but keep telling myself, hang in there, it will happen in time.

The only consolation is I do drink slower, but lately I've been gulping. Why am I doing this. I am still getting a bit of a buzz, and think that I shouldn't be?

My prescribing doctor suggested I try 75mg's a day, but my mood seems to blacken and I wondered if the NAL could be causing these terrible lows?

Anyway, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I wish we had Sinclair Method Groups as I do think they would be helpful.

I am an avid gym goer, but this week I've been once, having to force myself to go, which is just not like me. I may revert back to 50mg's as it seems to work for most.

In the beginning when I started NAL, the dreaded sweats disappeared, and now they are back, which say to me I am drinking too much. Well, I know that anyway. I feel as though I am back to square one!

Summerglow

Doubled from what? Your first days on Nal or from pre-Nal? You don't have a history or chart of your drinking, so I'm curious how has the drinking doubled? What sort of pattern of highs and lows do you have over this time? Did it drop down quickly at first then slowly, evenly come back up to now or has it spiked up in recent weeks?

Also, with your isolated situation, it sounds like it'd be very easy to "out drink" the Nal out of boredom/habit, with little to interrupt you. For example, those of us living with others have the feedback/comparison to the sober people around us. Or those who like to drink at bars can substitute going to cafes for the bar. Have you worked on what to do other than your habit of using Nal for company? For example, if you volunteer for a charity one night a week, you'll have somewhere to be around other people with something to do that isn't centered on drinking. Have you considered: if the world's supply of alcohol were suddenly gone with no more to get, what would your days look like?

summerglow: I agree with Jackson, that getting out and being around people really could be of some benefit. You are probably, like me, an introvert, and I do have to force myself to get out, so I cannot and don't want to do it all the time, but I find that especially now when I am trying to figure out what to do with myself without alcohol I need a distraction.

Also, the fact that you like the gym (I HATE IT!!) is in your favor. Even if you have to force yourself, DO IT! And if you could have some AF days, following those up with gym time would get your endorphins going and hopefully make you feel better.

I've been having a despondent week too, so I definitely feel where you are coming from. UK Blonde said to me, why not turn that into determination?? I decided to take her up on it, and have 2 AF days and am planning to follow them up with 2 more.

Rooting for you and here to support you whatever happens.

XOXO Newlife

In a rush, but doubled from when I first started NAL, I do voluntary work as well, with the gym too.....so still struggling. I'll get there I'm sure...

Hi Summerglow

I am wondering are you gulping to override the Nal?

I know I had a few sessions like this even after cure, I know your's are daily and mine were not, but I do remember it being mindless, trying to chase something.

It was one reason I went AF but I was past cure point, so doing that wasn't an issue.

Could you limit your alcohol supply by simply not having any in the house and mentally saying "I am not setting foot out of that door tonight"?

I also am of the opinion that if you get fed up enough, you can turn that into determination.

Thank you all for your replies. You are all correct, and it's al down to me and effort.......I am not an introvert, quite the opposite, so don't use AL as a tool for personality.

I'll get there, and will keep plodding on...thank you all for your support.

Hi Summerglow - I've experienced the same. In recent weeks my drinking seems to be getting worse (despite the fact that I don't feel constant craving for AL). I think I'm drinking mindlessly as UK Blonde has mentioned. It's almost as though I'm chasing something.

Anyway - I've been reading other threads (Maggie's in particular) and have decided to start forcing some AF days. I've just taken 1/4 AB and hope that if I kick start some AF time it will begin to come naturally.

Keep plodding - we're all here with you. x

Thank you, and I will try. In the past I've gone months without a drink, then 'bosh' back to square one. this time i'm doing it slowly and hoping the NAL will take over. It has in a way as I'm not binging, drinking slower and not so much enjoying it. Breaking a habit of 25 years is difficult, especially when no partner, or someone to answer to.

I know pretty feeble, but that's the score.

keep at it summerglow. we're with you.

summerglow,
I'm at 58 days today...started March 25. There are days when I only drink 2-3, but not very many. I am starting to examine whether these urges to drink are compulsive/addiction or just habit. I like to have a drink while I make dinner and then I just continue until I go to bed.

I am tired of hangovers and forgetting and spending so much money on wine. I am always compliant with the meds, though. I always take my pill and I always wait an hour.

Some things have improved. A box of wine always last 3 days instead of 2. I never switch to whiskey or beer if I run out of wine. I have only gotten up in the night to drink more one time in the last month. I never drink before 5 o'clock. I guess that is some progress.

I am signing up to work with a trainer and might do that in the evening to give myself one day AF. I like the suggestion of not keeping alcohol in the house. At least not keeping wine in the house.

I think I need to start making more of an effort.

Keep at it...never give up!