Hi All,
I am a relo from The My Way Out forums. I will continue with the same handle as before. I am honored to be invited into this forum and am happy that N101CS and LenaLeed took the initiative to start it.

I look forward to continuing my Naltrexone using the Sinclair method while in this site.

Something you may notice in my writings is that I rarely use the term alcoholism or alcoholic. I prefer alcohol addition and alcohol addict. My reasoning goes back years ago when I decided that there was little unique with alcohol in that it is an addictive substance just as many others. I simply wanted to denude it of its near mystical flavor and see it for what it simply is. I had to get there before I could have gotten here.

As of this writing I am half way through my third week. I seem to be making progress and have been doing quite well. I am internally checked myself to insure I am not just "whistling in the dark" and I am rather confident that my progress is real.

I have found myelf feeling bloated on beer and walking away from a glass that still contained drink. I am allowing myself to indulge in urges, within reason, so as to identify triggers.

As I have said in several other posts, I will go wherever the Sinclair Method takes me, this side of sanity, for sixth months before making a definitive judgement. I am tracking my consumption and craving as spelled on in the book. I vow to report my progress as accurately as my bias permits. That is what I am asking of others. That is the greatest benefit we can give to each other.

Thanks

The problem I have with identifying triggers is that just about ANY situation has become a trigger.

It used to be a time of day thing, now it can be a rude driver, a phone call I don't really want to make, sometimes even having a headache makes me want to get a drink!

The problem with all these things is unlike the time of day trigger, I don't always know when they are going to occur an hour before to take the Naltrexone.

Well, I'll be taking it around 4pm today as this evening I am off work, and will be going to see a friend who works in a bar, so that one isn't too hard to work out.

Actually SR, all the credit goes to N101CS. I just kept posting my fingers raw on MWO trying to fend off all the inaccurate info and criticism being posted there. Some on that site have trouble with new ideas. Ironically, some are quite hostile to the idea of moderation, even though the site's founder herself is a moderate drinker. Imagine the reception for a plan that includes drinking-as-usual as part of treatment!!

I too prefer the term alcohol addict and it fits the Sinclair Method. We are getting de-addicted, as Eskapa says.

Here's the first trigger I noticed was getting dialed down: Reading and posting about drinking! I used to have to post very early in the a.m. or else I would want to start drinking. Well, "want" is not the right word. I'm a little over three weeks on Naltrexone and do not feel the urge to drink at all as I post here. We have an unusual warm snap and I will play nine holes or at least hit the driving range with my 20 yr. old son later today. Golf definitely is not something I want to extinguish but I cannot fathom golf without drinking. I's about the only time I drink beer (very dark, maybe Guinness) but that's what my son likes. We usually have just a couple (while I have more before and after). I'll be interested to see how today goes. BTW golf is going to be a MAJOR activity when I am ready for reinforcement days!

SR, Marbella and all reading -- I'm so happy we're here. Thanks, N101CS

marbella,
I been wondering the trigger thing too. I do have some clear triggers. Friday leaving work was always one. I would be bouncing on my feet in the parking lot thinking, tonight I am going to party. I would sometimes start before I got home. Now I take Nal an hour before getting off work. It's weird because I don't experience the "let's go party" desire. And I think that is a good thing.

Look Marabella,
We are the rats in this experiment. We can try the best we can and let each other know what we found. Eskapa's book leaves a lot of room open for interpretation and that is what we are doing.

But no matter what, don't break the golden rule.

Lena,
I do give credit RV but also credit your determination. Without a doubt, you were an impetus to many of us making the leap. Squeaking wheel so to speak. I hope you find more peace here but I must admit that those guys really taxed your debating skills which are must say are razor sharp.

Don't get too soft just because you are inside the perimeter. It's still a cold world out there.

Absolutely. Both Marbella and Lena were/are driving forces supporting The Sinclair Method over at MYO, but not as "groupies", but as rational adults capable of evaluating The Sinclair Method fairly [after actually reading the book - ahem].

Hey SR,

I just wanted to say hi and thank you for taking the time to give me advice and encouragement, as have other members. I have always viewed alcohol as a drug, and alcoholism as just another form of addiction. It's amazing how many people can't see this or don't want to. I have an older mate who has had a serious addiction to alcohol for many years, and he works in the medical field, and furthermore he's quite willing to admit he has a serious problem. However, when we start talking about addiction, he quickly points out that he is against all drugs, even ones that could help him. When I mention that alcohol is also a drug, he says "drugs are things that can be smoked, injected, or taken as pills". Since alcohol is a liquid that is commonly used as a beverage, and being completely legal and an integral part of Australian culture on many levels, it is hardly ever viewed as a drug by people in this country. I can imagine the response I'd get if I told heavy drinkers in a pub or club that they were using a drug or "on drugs"...and I'd want to be next to the nearest exit and be wearing a good pair of running shoes if I was silly enough to say that!!

Anyway, thanks again and the best of luck.

I have been very busy this last week amd a half. When I am under the gun, I make it a point tp stay away from these boards. They distract to much of my time. I also suffered some computer failure.

I have been dring all over the south and central US. At the last plant, my laptop was sprayed with water. After a couple of days. it bricked. I was able to read my mail on my Phone/PDA but I can't seem to interact with this board.

Thanks for the PM inquires.

I am still progressing though the progress seems to have hit a plateau. That has always been my pattern. I hit a flat spot for a while and then I make a quantum leap.

I still follow the golden rule.

Hi SR. Glad to see you're back. I would think it not strange that your progress has hit a plateau, as it seems you've been under considerable stress. Your work is demanding, you're on the road (a HUGE trigger for me), and your laptop froze up. I'd be drinking more than usual under these circumstances, too.

Glad you're following the Golden Rule!

SR,

Good to hear from you!. Sorry to hear about the notebook.