So, I decided to call myself pyrata (Spanish for female pirate) since I did a lot of drinking at Renaissance fairs and pirate festivals. I now realize that this was real training for a life as a "pirate". LOL!

Where to start????

I'm 43 years old and a woman. I now realize how much trouble I am in with my drinking simply because I cannot remember exactly WHEN it became a problem, or if it was ALWAYS a problem. Currently I am drinking about a bottle and a half of red wine per night (6-7 glasses) and if I am drinking rum , usually a half a 750 ml bottle will send me to sleep.

I drink because I have anxiety issues, as well as social/behaviour issues. I also have memories of abuse that alcohol helps to dampen. (I have been diagnosed with severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.)

A little background: I come from an international family background. Born in USA, raised entirely in Europe, so I was essentially raised in a "pub" culture, much like the UK and Aussie folks who have posted here. I came back to the USA after I became an adult, and I *think* that for several years, drinking still wasn't a "problem" was still manageable, and at acceptable limits. As a teenager it was legal for me to drink in the country I lived in...if you were tall enough to reach across the bar and grab your drink, you were old enough to be there. I think in recent years, legislation in that country has raised the drinking age to 18, but back then, there was no such law. I drank "responsibly" with family at table often, and stopped after the first drink. This went on for years, even into my twenties. Somewhere along the way, not sure where, it developed into binge drinking, (complete with a few blackouts) and then onto where I am now. It's all a blur, as it were!

An interesting side note: I've always known that AA/12 step programs were not the answer for me , and dare I say for many people. I've always known that Europe held terrific "alternative" treatments and that the "American way" was often the WORST way. Recently, I had occasion to tell an American acquaintance what I knew about ibogaine (for treatment of methamphetimine, which their relative suffers with.) And then it dawned on me during the conversation, "Hey stupid self! Take some of your own advice...maybe you could use ibogaine for your drinking problem."

So I've done the research and although I don't discount ibogaine as a method for anti-addiction treatment, it isn't practical for me to travel to Canada (much as I would LOVE to visit my neighbors up north...lovely country!) . In researching ibogaine, I came across the Sinclair method and remembered hearing about this YEARS AGO, back when I was still living in Europe. It was rather like running into an old acquaintance, which one doesn't know well at all , but would like very much to do so!

I have plans to begin on the treatment, after I have some major dental work done (very necessary right now) and after I have had more time to order the book, and to do some more research.

In the meantime, I just wanted to say AHOY MATIES....! And also to thank those who have posted regularly on their progress. I am delighted to see several Americans among you, and also to see that some folks are obtaining the treatment without a doctor/Rx. (Don't get me started on the human cost of suffering in the US due to this political and economic bull ****. While Americans pat themselves on the back and nod approvingly at themselves, saying "we have the best healthcare in the world", THOUSANDS ARE DYING IN AMERICA DAILY FROM ADDICTION. And all because of self-imposed ignorance - it's stupid and unnecessary.)

Before I "remembered" about Sinclair Method, I sort of assumed that since I live in the States now, with no ability to travel longterm abroad, that I would just sort of roll the dice with my alcohol intake. I didn't realize it was possible to obtain this European treatment here in the States and I am overwhelmed with joy to find out that YES I CAN!

I will be starting my treatment around April 1. I want to give my dental work a little time to heal up before I drink to the cure!

Wish me luck, and remember that my good wishes go to you, too...Fair winds wherever you sail!
--pyrata

pyrata drop back anytime and we're here for you when you're ready.


corkit

Thank you very much corkit. I have edited my original posting, just to add some details that might be important....
If anyone has any direct advice, I would love to hear it and I am certainly open minded (if you couldn't tell...LOL!) so will never be one to argue about anything I read here....all input is greatly appreciated.

Much peace and happiness to all in their journeys too.
--pyrata

Welcome aboard, Matey!

We seem to have very similar drinking "styles," so I will be curious about your progress. I have been doing TSM for only about 6 weeks now (started January 18, 2010) but things are going well so far.

Good luck and I hope to hear more from you in the future.

pre-TSM 84 units
Week 6 30 units

Ahoy mate!
Thanks so much for your well wishes. It's good to know I am not "crazy", "depraved" , a "terrible person" for having this affliction. I am really sick of the guilt message and frankly, I think there's a lot to be "discussed" when it comes to cultural norms regarding drinking and a desire to return to "social drinking". I think that American ideas about abstinence can be really great, but they seem to have invaded even indigenous cultures and I think alot of that is due to the "evangelical" nature of AA and the 12 step method being very Protestant/Christian based.

I'm really curious about your progress....how are you doing and do you feel "better" psychologically and physically or do you feel the "same"??? I do hope you will share your experience...if you have posted about it I have missed it...I am still getting used to the site.

"Fair winds!"
--pyrata

Welcome Pyrata,

I hope you will start a Weekly Progress thread. We will all be interested in how you are doing.

I started TSM with the knowlege of impending dental work which will be next week. I will have to supspend TSM beginning Sunday, but no worries. Better to start early.

Your posts are very interesting.

-wort

Bienvenidos Pyrata,

I thought that I would never see any results. Here I am arriving at the 6 month mark and cravings are way down. Psychologically speaking, I am still habitually addicted, but at 45 with my first drinking sessions at 14, I guess one could say I have a history. TSM will save my life...

Buenas suerte Pyrata

Buenos Tardes Jim Clarke!
Muchas gracias ---

I am really grateful to find this site too. Thanks so much to all for the warm welcome.

Jim, I really know what you mean about the "history". As a teen, my drinking was culturally endorsed and was not seen as aberrant. And it really wasn't until probably after my daughter was born when I was 29. Now that I am seriously thinking back on it, I think that my "hard drinking" started in the last 10-13 years. Somewhere in there. Before that I was a "take it or leave it", social drinker. Long story but my daughter's birth was stressful in the extreme and I was a single mother from the start ---details of that aren't really important except that I think I began drinking as "self medicating" at that time. I had no insurance and no access to other methods of stress-relief (counseling, thereapy, whatever.)

I just got home from an AA meeting. After reading everything today, the AA meeting was a real "revelation" in itself. I am done with that nonsense and might talk some more about that elsewhere. If it worked for others, GREAT, WONDERFUL, EXCELLENTE....but I object to its core philosophy on many levels. (And I'm a person of "faith" -LOL! How's that for a switch!)

Anyway, thanks again for the support. I'm learning alot from all of you.
"fair winds" and "smooth sailing"...
pyrata

Welcome, pyrata! I like your style and hope the next month goes well until you can start. Stay positive and I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Looking forward to seeing your progress!
XO

Welcome. Great to have you here. Post often and ask questions.

My best,

Nick