So I've been following the Sinclair Method pretty strictly...taking NAL 100mg at least an hour before I drink, never missing a dose...and:

I've cut down a decent amount. Hangover days have been greatly reduced. But I still feel that ETOH buzz (or whatever you call the feeling of relief a long time drinker feels when he/she gets to drink #5) and I'm curious as to whether I should keep going.

Can I go back to drinking like a 'normal person'? Cuz that's all I want.

Any advice is appreciated

Hey, T.
Are you, like, wondering if you should continue? You don't say how long you are in but generally it seems to go like this. Nal does not stop you from drinking. If you drink a lot you will still get drunk. If you are addicted to the rush, the endorphin hit of the first drink that you chase with each successive drink, then Nal will block that, giving you a fighting chance to control the habit. But eventually you have to do the controlling. Some simply lose interest in drinking. Some continue to drink a lot out of habit. Everyone seems to be a bit different. Some take longer, others are affected immediately. Most have to use SOME willpower to reign in their habit. Most of us struggle and substitute good habits and tricks to become more mindful of what we do. We are trying to change our lives. Sorry. It is NOT a magic bullet for most of us. But it makes change possible. If you're up for trying to really change, we are proud to have you with us. Welcome!
Steve.

TRl1974,



I am concerned as to why you started out with 100mg, for if you have read the book you would have started with 25 mg for a few days (1/2 of 50mg) until you have no side effects and then start with the 50 mg. If you are under the care of a doctor, then I guess it was a decided that is what would be best for you.

When you say "I've been following TSM pretty strictly...has me question are there times that you have been not waited the entire 60 minutes, or drank without the pill? If I am reading too much into the statement, I am sorry; however, to help you I need the under stand how close you have been following protocol.

So I have a few questions:

How long have you been doing this?

Are you sure you have been waiting that full 60 minuets (setting a timer to be sure)?

Are you sure it is that "ah" feeling, or are you getting drunk? Nal with not stop you from getting drunk, it only blocks the receptors so you desire will go down.

I drink like a normal person and I have been doing this since May 8.

This is not a magic pill, you will need to put work into it. Counting your intake is a start (there is an app for that), for logging your intake will show how much it has decrease. If you have been doing this for a couple of months an alcohol free (AF) day would be a good idea. It will let you know that your desire isn't there and it will help you feel better off the nal. I could not do a AF day before TSM, and it took a while into the process before I could have one; however, once I could have one I realized my desire to drink was not there.

You will begin drinking normally on your own time, but keep posting for we would be happy to hear about your progress, and/or help you along the way.

Jaba

Thanks for the replies...yes, I have been very strict about taking NAL every time I plan to drink, and I'm also very strict about waiting the full 60 minutes (I set a timer on my phone). I also misspoke (mistyped?) in my previous post: the dose I take is 50mg, not 100.

I have always been able to maintain 3 or 4 AF days a week, mainly because of my work schedule...it's the other days that have been a problem. Simply put, once I start, it's hard to stop. I guess I need to keep going with this method, because it HAS helped, but I also need to admit to myself that it's NOT a magic bullet, and I will need to exercise some willpower over the drug.

Thanks again for the very supportive responses!

TRI,

It does take time, but I am still unsure as how long you have been on this. If you have read the book, it says a minimum of 3 months; however, it takes most between 6-8 months, and some it has taken 1-2 years.

I think you getting 3-4 af days is awesome, for it took me a nal over to have af days at first. I understand that it is hard to stop once you start, for at times it still is for me. But now I can stop where before I would have to drink all the al. in the house. It will come especially since you are able to have af days, for that is a really good sign.

To help you along in this process let me suggest to try to drink as slow as possible with those first 2 units of al.(maybe set a timer to see if you can get that first drink/glass to last at least 30-45 minutes). Try to focus on the drink and think of nothing else. Try to avoid mindless drinking (like mindless eating in front of the TV), for you will lose track of how much you drank until it is too late. Try to feel the nal. doing its job, for you should be able to notice that "ah" feeling isn't there with that first sip. It does take practice for most, and if you are just starting out it might mean the honeymoon is over. Do not worry for your intake will go back down. The nal will give you that willpower that you haven't had before. Trust me, for it happened to me and I was a 2+ bottle of wine a night.

I am glad that you are not taking 100mg, for it would scare me if not under a doctors care, or at least getting lab work done.

I am happy to see you post, and keep up the good work for it sounds like you are getting the hang of it,

Jaba