I just started three days ago. Of course, so far no effect on my consumption. I'm having a hard time keeping myself focused on the Method and not demanding instant results--i.e., a "sober pill"--that will pull me out of this pit of alcoholism and self-hatred. I don't have a support system for this, so I'm hoping this forum will provide some. Help!!

No pill can pull anyone out of a pit and get rid of self-hatred -- obviously, only you can do that. But, stick with it, and Naltrexone has a good chance of being a powerful tool to assist you and greatly increase your odds of success. Think positive and muster all your strength and happy thoughts.

Also, dishing out more info about your drinking habits and problems usually brings the advice-givers out of the woodworks. What's your story?

TSM requires patience, some people do respond immediately but most take quite a bit of time to start reducing their desire and units. All you need do is keep taking the pill 1 hour before, every time you drink.

I'm now on Day 4. Drank less yesterday, without strain, and today. I felt nauseous and kind of dizzy today, so dropped back to 25mg. Didn't drink anything until after 6pm, which is great, as I usually drink starting early in the day, sometimes starting in the morning when I get up. I think I should start describing this in the past tense, unless I'm backsliding.... I know the Nal doesn't just "fix" the problem, but I'm also concentrating on reducing my consumption and waiting later in the day before I drink along with taking the Nal.

I've been drinking heavily for 15+ years. In the last few years, 50-90 units a week, usually spread out over the day, wine mostly, sometimes beer and vodka as well. Rarely binge. Only a handful of AF days in many years. Have not been drinking to the point of blackouts for a year or so, but continued steady, constant, mild-to-moderate intoxication. It's amazing that I haven't lost my job, actually, or utterly destroyed my health.

Tried AA last year, just couldn't handle it--the "I am a sinner throwing myself on the bosom of the higher power (as we know him) to save me" and being an addict/sinner forever, and many of the people who attend (not my role models) didn't work for me. I quit smoking nearly 30 years ago, and have not been a smoker since then, never "white knuckling" to prevent myself from smoking. That's where I want to be with alcohol--that I become someone who is not an alcoholic. My goal is 6u/wk, 4 days AF.

Consumption down yesterday and today--to 3 units/day, not wanting to have any more. Honeymoon starting?

P.S. I'm going to copy this to the Progress section, now that I've introduced myself.

Good to see that the nal is having an effect. That's a positive sign. Could be honeymoon or could be the start of a quick and steady response. No way to know. Just stay patient and follow the one-hour rule! Wishing you the best.

Hi Mer,
I'm into day four myself. I have left a post in this area about where I am up to so far (early days I know, but I'm feeling positive).
As we are at the same stage of our treatment using NAL, I was thinking it may be helpful to stay in touch and support each others progress. Look to more experienced members to guide us, but share our new experiences and encourage each other.
Good luck with it all and I hope we can help each other along the way.
McBlackout.

Almost through with week 4. Overall consumption down, I think mostly because I'm tracking how much I'm drining and determined to cut down. Also feeling very down on myself, despite progress. 10-year record late start yesterday, 6:45p (except for the v. rare abstinence days, when I didn't start at all), so I celebrated by drinking a bit more. Self destructive!

I have once or twice had a drink within 30-45 minutes after taking Nal, otherwise drinking an hour or so after taking it. Keeping daily log. Intermittent on measuring cravings. Trying to include start time, exercise, life events, other factors in my log. Does anyone have a recommendation about other systems that help--such as MWO, BCT, Baclofen, hypnosis?

Pre-TSM
70-90/wk, pretty much all day every day, 0 AF
Periodic falling down, drunk-dialing drunk, blackouts, frequently having a beer or wine for breakfast even on work days.

Since TSM, none of the above, starting later in the day.

Wk 1 - 42 u, 0 AF
Wk 2 - 49 u, 0 AF
Wk 3 - 47 u, 0 AF

Current goal: 20 u, 3 AF