Welcome Tuttle,

This place is a really great find. So much information and support using one method only. Thankfully, there are no abstainers preaching to you about doing the wrong thing.
I haven't started yet but, I know this is going to work. If not, nothing else is working eithet, so where's the harm?
Good luck on this journey we're all taking together.
Lucy D

Thanks again everyone for words of encouragement and support.
It's Sunday morning, I'm on my second coffee (normal for me) and I'm in tears.
I spent 2 1/2 years in a "fellowship" and never felt like this!

Update.
Last night (on 25 mg) I started drinking as usual and then shortly after I began to feel the Buzz unlike the previous 2 nights and no nausea. What a surprise. As the night continued I was looking forward to a normal session but by 9 pm I just didn't want anymore. I decided that I did not want to stay up so I went to bed early.
Now, I've used alcohol as a sleep inducer for most of my life because I suffer from terrible insomnia. Last night I consumed only 9 units so getting to sleep at that early hour was a challenge. Needless to say I didn't have a good night. The whole sleep issue is one that I'm not looking forward to again. A handful of years ago I did a home detox on Valium and was able to sleep fine for that week but when the valium stopped, so my insomnia started. I've tried all the usual stuff i.e. meditation, progressive relaxation, herbal tea, warm milk etc but I think it's not a physical issue ... it's my head space that keeps me awake.
Anyway, so far this week I have consumed 26 % less than usual and that has to a good thing.

Update.
Day 4. I'm still on 25 mg as I'm very susceptible to nausea as a side effect with medications.
Last night felt like I wasn't on NAL at all.
In a way thats nice because I think my body is acclimating to NAL ... at least I hope so.
I drank my normal quota and headed for bed.
No trouble getting to sleep this time.
I think I'll stay on 25 mg for a couple more days and then try 50 mg and see how I feel.
I'm feeling good about TSM and love reading your progress posts.
To Your Good Health.

tuttle, I had sleep issues all my life. What I discovered works for me is 2 alka-seltzer plus tablets dissolved in ice water, and 3 mg. of melatonin. Melatonin alone does it, quite often. It's our 'sleep hormone,' and many of us don't produce enough of it.

Thanks G4M. Where do you buy Melatonin?

Last night I had one of the worst nights sleep ever.
I had hot flushes and cold sweats and I kept waking every hour or so.
Very frustrating.
I'm not a happy camper this morning.

That happened to me too when I first started naltrexone. It didn't last long. I think it's your body getting acclimated to naltrexone. I know it SUCKS but for almost everyone here, severe sleep disturbance is an initial, temporary reaction. I still get sporadic bad dreams, but the waking up every hour or so, sweats and hot flashes only happened to me once or twice during my first week of TSM. Stick with it and good luck.

Last night I had the cold sweats again but I managed to sleep through the night so I hope that means progress.
Tonight is my next challenge ... I'm going to start taking 50 mg.

I know that I'm probably in the Honeymoon Period but I think that because I not only want to reduce my consumption AND I'm doing something concrete about it (taking NAL), that my desire to get wasted every night is reducing and therefore my units ARE down.
Psychosomatic ? Maybe.
But whatever the reason, my units are down by 30% this week.
I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it ... that has to be a good thing.

It is a great thing! (As is the reduced sleep disturbance.) Congratulations. The only way it could be a bad thing is if you return to pre-nal levels and get upset. But since you know that's a real possibility and that it doesn't mean TSM isn't working, no worries either way, right mate?

Update - Day 7
Last night I took 50 mg for the first time with some trepidation having experienced nausea earlier in the week. Started my first drink at 4 pm as usual these days and all was well. Slight buzz.
By 6 pm I was feeling quite tired and had to make an effort to keep my eyes open. A few units later I perked up and was feeling fine. Ate a meal and settled into the couch for a night in front of the TV (as usual).

About 8.30 I was wondering why I was drinking at all because I wasn't getting the same enjoyment as pre NAL. I think I was drinking more out of habit than anything else. Very strange.

At 9 pm I'd had enough and headed for bed after only 10 units.
I managed to sleep right through the night without any bad dreams, hot flushes or cold sweats. What a relief.

Total units this week is 81, 77% of my pre TSM units. (Yes, I am tracking my units and when I get enough data I will also produce a chart).

I just realised that I did NOT have a blackout last night. I can remember the whole evening. That's amazing. I have had blackouts every night for a very long time.

I wish this "Honeymoon" would last but it appears it is fleeting. Ah well .... it does give me a glimpse of things to come.

Cheers everyone.

That's great! Your unit count may be fleeting, but remember, you will be a better drunk on naltrexone, as in you won't be likely to have blackouts and will be more in control. Regular blackouts freaked me out and were a primary reason I decided to seek treatment before starting TSM. I haven't blacked out once on nal and that is definitely a good thing.