Thanks. As I've been thinking about it, that has evolved into plan "A". I have just one days experience, so I'm not in a possition to say, but last night I was OK with drinking half of normal. If I can keep that up for a week or two and then maybe cut it down more in the following weeks, I can stay on the program. I'm not supposed to have AF days so early, but at least a few will be forced on me. I can't run out in the inlaws car- try and find a liquor store in the new town they live in and sneak back (I do happen to know my father in law is an alcoholic who trys to hide it- maybe I can raid his stash LOL).

If, with the help of Nal, I can cut back enough that I don't go into crazy detox if I get an AF day to early in the program, or if I cut back enough that I only need a little booze to prevent it, I'm good. I don't mind being miserable- I just don't want to have to explain this until I have been sucessful. Then I'll shout it to the world Including my FIL).

What I am worried about is the honeymoon ending and my drinking going up before I have to go.

pete1
I happen to be in your boat!

Must not be drinking in family affairs, or my life......!

I am so able now to continue to drink and I am not experiencing any "problem" times. In that I mean all this course of the nal I have only been inebriated twice, so I have been able to keep it under wraps.

It seems to work for me at least, I just drink and do not get drunk so there are no tell tale signs to give me away. I do try to be as careful as possible and try to drink only as much as I need to keep the blood flowing .

It's your life, so do the best you can. Hope things go well, try it for this month and you may have an ability to monitor enough for your comfort and for your image to others.

Best!

Thanks. That is what I am hoping to achieve with Nal from now until July 13th when I get home- just drink enough to not get sick with detox. I only have one day of doing that. I will report back tomorrow. I guess it's just the honymoon, but I only took 25mg and I took it way too early. I took it at 1:00 pm and I didn't stop drinking small amounts until 12:30 am. Now here it is 2:00 pm and I feel fine. My hands are shaking a little, but I usually can barely type by this time of the day.

By the way, my wife gave me another "I'm worried about you" talk last night. I told her about TSM. She didn't believe me for a second- why would she? I asked her to Google it. I wonder if she did. I've tried so many things. She isn't a drinker and just doesn't get it. She's really angry with me.

Pete1,

Please, please share with your wife the letter on the Concerned Spouses board that Goin4More so articulately wrote. If she has been thru alot with you, what would be wrong with just giving you this chance - especially after she reads the post and has a clearer understanding.

Along with your family situation, I recently returned from visiting my family for a week. I knew they had concerns and were watching me. As the nal has permitted me to lose most of the LUST I had for my evening drinks, I was able to be very casual in taking the first drink and drank slower than ever and less potently. One evening my parent commented how pleased that alcohol hadn't become a problem for us as it had other family members! Ha ha! Without the Nal, it would have been a sticky situation to say the least! I started April 3 and I am thrilled. Though I still drink, I drink 25% less, am not driven by the drink and remember every evening. I am quite functional - and so much happier. I know this is working for me.

My best to you and all my fellow Sinclairians. You have come to the right place! Stay in touch.

bb

Thanks Bama. Quick question. What color is your Naltrexone? I tried it very breifly a while back (not SM) and I could have sworn the pills were red. I got these from river pharmacy as one order, but the one I just took was yellow. It definitely says Naltrexone on the packaging.

Thanks.

Hey Pete -
I just wanted to chime in with a welcome, and try to calm your fears about the family gathering. I agree with WTE and others here who are advising you to start the SM now and try not to worry about the family thing until it gets closer. Chances are your confidence level will be much greater too. If this honeymoon is motivating you to go on, then just do it...

You are not going to be a radically changed man by then and you know it, so don't be who you aren't. None of us know a thing about your family situaiton, but if there are as many 12-steppers inthere as you say there are, what a reason to drink if ever there was! LOL I'm sure many are self-righteous and everything else....as WTE says,"BLAH!!" LOL

Hang in there -

HEY!


SOMEWHERE ON THIS SITE:


WE POSTED PHOTOS OF DIFFERENT PILLS EXAMPLES OF NALTREXONE My pills are a very light orange colour and are pictured on that thread.

Anyone, can you find that thread for Pete1?

WOW! just trying to navigate this site, as I was here from the beginning, now there is SO MUCH INFO! Makes it difficult to find it all.

I wonder if there would be a way to LIBRARY some of the more important facts and or info?

ART,

Good idea! I looked for a short while for the message as I remember it well. Seems like Bob was involved with this. Maybe he can help. So much information.

I would also like to remind the newbies to carry the medical information card to inform emergency medical personnel of one's use of naltrexone. There was also a great site whereby this card could be printed off. Does anyone remember that site. It is important for all to be aware of this.

Pete1, my pills are a really light creamy peach color with a "b" or "q" on one side and a 50 then 902 underneath the 50. They were purchased at a chain pharmacy here in the states and are referred to as naltrexone hydrochloride 50 mg.

Best to all,
bb

OK last night was the third one. I have got to say that the only thing that scares me now is that this is just a "honeymoon". I drank a quarter of what I usually do and I didn't even want to- I had to to keep from detoxing, but it was unapealing. If I could just keep this up, I'd be so happy. I slept OK too, but the real REM sleep came on a half hour before I had to get up. If I could have slept about three more hours I'd be feeling great.

The other time I tried Nal. I quit after three weeks because I was drinking more than ever and the hangovers were all day hell. I can't let that happen again, but I don't know if I have any control over it. So I am keeping my diary and I am cautiously optimistic.

Thanks for the confidence. I am still on 25 mg and so far it has been working well. I will stay on 25mg until it stops working both in an effort to extend the honeymoon and also because I only have sixteen pills left and that is not nearly enough to last until the new ones get here. I'll have to work on that.