I typically drink 7-10 large glasses of wine every night. About 12 years ago it was a beer after work and now I am at a point I need to quit. Feeling unhealthy, low-energy and I am crabby more than I like.

I usually have my first glass at 5:00pm, so my first day I took my first 50mg pill at 4:00pm. It acted as a stimulant for me. When I got home I followed my normal routine and poured myself a glass of wine. By the time I went to bed I had finished two glasses.

The next morning I woke up 2 hours earlier than I normally would. I did notice a few side effects in the morning. Very anxious, felt like vomiting, no appetite, and waves of being tired. So I got busy cleaning ....doing dishes and getting breakfast ready for the family. Two hours passed and all was back to normal, except my appetite. I didn't feel the urge to eat all day, so I had to make a point to eat food in the early afternoon and at dinner time.

Knowing I start to drink at 5:00pm every day, I took my 50mg pill at 4:00pm again. I poured myself a glass of wine. Tonight, I tried not to walk around or sit with my wine in my hand. I left it in the kitchen, so if I wanted a sip I needed to walk over and get the glass. After nursing it over 5 hours I switched to water. In at least the last 7 years I would have never stopped at 1 or 2 unless I was feeling sick with the flu.

It is hard to describe the sensation or lack of interest in drinking.

Another thing I find interesting is my hearing is hyper sensitive (fyi...this is a good thing). Also on Naltima I really recognize my triggers...The situations that make me want to grab my glass and take a sip of wine. When my kids whine or beg, when my wife yells at them... I would have grabbed my wine and had a large sip. Now I find myself observing the trigger...recognizing it...and then smiling to myself that I do not have the urge to sip more wine. For those reading this...I also plan on not only being an observer to my triggers, but also being a more active participant in parenting.

A side note....I was drawn to the Sinclair Method because I knew I couldn't just QUIT. In my twenties I used to smoke 2 packs of cigarettes a day. One day I woke up and felt like crap from the prior night's smoking, so decided I was not going to ever quit smoking, but I was just going to simply cut back. That day I didn't smoke, nor did I the next 6 months. Over the past 15+ years I will smoke 5-10 cigarettes a year. It was knowing that I was "not quitting", but "just cutting back" that gave me a back door to start again...however I never needed to use the back door.

I am interested to see how my experience with Naltima progresses. I believe "my" drinking is a learned behavior...a habit and a routine...the Sinclair Method will likely be the right tool for me.

Update..

Friday (day one) - 2 glasses of wine
Saturday - 1 glass of wine
Sunday - 0 glasses of wine

I think I need to reduce the mg because my head feels like it is in a fog. Like a slight hangover, all day. I do notice when I eat and increase my water intake I immediately feel better, but only for about 30 minutes or so.

Tonight I will try 25mg.

Welcome, I am happy to hear you are seeing a decrease in your units, but sorry you are experiencing brain fog. If you can tolerate 50 mgs for a week or two the side effects should diminish. I have had severe SE's and have had to titrate up to only 25mgs. Most people on this forum will tell you to keep with the recommended dose of 50mgs one hour before if you can. I wish you much success. Keek

So last night at 4:00pm I took 25mg, rather than 50mg. I got home at 7:00pm and poured a glass of wine. By the time I went to bed I had finished just shy of 3 glasses. On my way to bed I left about a quarter of the glass on the counter....I would have never done that before taking Naltima (Naltrexone).

Today, I am very alert and not experiencing the brain fog. It is great being at work and feeling clear and a higher-level of energy than pre-TSM. I will stay at 25mg until Friday. Friday I will try 50mg again and continue with this dosage throughout the weekend.


Pre-TSM:
63 Avg units per/week, 0 Alcohol Free days

Week 1: 2,1,0,3 (units)

Sounds like an epic start. There's no reason those numbers should go up ever again, unless you will it to be so. Enjoy your new mental acuity. I was having a lot of mental diminishment towards the end of my pre-TSM days -- very bad memory problems, fatigue, next-morning blues where I would crawl back to bed after getting the kids to school,etc... This has greatly improved month to month for me.

So here are my updates for the last couple days...

Week 1: 2,1 (units - Started on a Friday)
Week 2: 0,3,4,5 (units)

I am getting used to the dosage, so increased from 25mg back up to 50mg. No side effects any more. My consumption is way down which is a great feeling.

Great initial response. Stay with it!

Declining side effects is great news! Stick with it and good luck!

Wow! I want to hear more. From 7-10 classes of wine every night (which would be me right now on a 'good' day) to just a couple is incredible!

I hope you're still on this very positive roll!