Hi TSM'ers, I've been a beer drinker for 40+ years. During these last 7 years , my alcohol consumption has really gotten bad. I know that if I don't do anything about it, it's just a matter of time before I really hurt someone or myself. Tried aa, just not for me. Tried antabuse, but quickly learned I could manipulate it or just turn purple and drink thru it. Happened to strike a conversation w/ a woman down at the beach where I'm from. She happened to be a therapist working for some half way houses. She said no to the antabuse and suggested naltrexone and tapping. A little research brought me to this board and today is the last day of my third week. I will keep posting , just in case it may help someone. Feel good about being here. Ty all. Pre tsm 50-60 units. Week 1 52.5 units Week 2 52.5 units

Hi; welcome to the group. Glad to have you. I look forward to reading about your progress.

What do you mean by "tapping"? EMDR?

Hi Melissa, ty for your posts. The tapping she referred to is an "emotional freedom technique" or eft. There's a lot of info on youtube if you have any desire to learn or educate yourself. She mentioned that she was having great success. Here's 1 of the latest videos I watched and got a kick out of. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnTwiQY2hcM enjoy

Judging from that, it looks like it's related to EMDR but different. Interesting.

I will have to give this a try. Thanks for the info. There are lots of us here dealing with PTSD (you probably know that it correlates strongly with addiction).

week 3- 53.5 units, week 4- 51 units. I've now finished 4 weeks w/ no holding back. Drank just like normal, followed the golden rule, re-upping w/ 25mg when I drink over 4 hours. Super happy that I've got this far, a lot of thing are changing. I'm thinking that without the buzz being the focus of my attention when I drink, my mind seems to be anchored in more clarity. Hoping that this added mindfulness will pay dividends. I've been tapping everyday, just letting go of the many things that may of fueled my drinking. Gonna try and make a conscious effort to cut back. I don't think I could of attempted this, had I not experienced the effects of the naltrexone. Ty all for your posts, I will post my progress in the weekly progress area next. Peace

Good luck, plantr0, and welcome. Have you noticed any change in your state prior to cracking the first beer? Do you anticipate or crave the buzz still? Or is it a matter of "this is what I do with myself at this hour each day"?

Ty Buena Vista. I've noticed that I still look forward to my first drinks, but the craving have diminished. Last week, I had a night w/ 3 beers , another w/ 5, this is a miracle for me. Missing the buzz will be a great trade off for having my life and freedom back. For some reason, the buzz doesn't seem to have the importance it once had. Maybe it's the nal doing it's work in secret ......hummm? I'll just follow the rules, and look forward to a time when I'm not held captive by alcohol. Having to take nal for the rest of my life seems like a small price to pay. We sure are lucky....Peace

"For some reason, the buzz doesn't seem to have the importance it once had."

That's how it's supposed to work. No reward (no endorphin high from booze), no desire. I liken it to the inverse of my state when I am training hard; I wake in the morning anticipating the endorphin rush of the run or gym. If I am not working out I lose the anticipatory thrill because I've 'forgotten' about it. Same with sex: the more one has, the more one wants. Hence the proscription on sex and exercise while medicated with naltrexone.

It sounds like naltrexone and you get along well, and good luck.