Hi all...I'm a 63 year old woman who comes from a family with a history of alcohol/drug abuse -- maternal grandmother, father and brother all suffered from alcohol addiction and it was the leading cause in the death of my father and grandmother (my brother has been alcohol and drug free for over 35 years but it still was a factor in his developing diabetes in later life). Even though I am highly functional and pretty happy in my day to day life, I've struggled with excessive drinking since my 20s and have despaired of finding a method that would work for me. I find the AA model of sobriety weirdly cultish in its tent revival religiosity, personal humiliation and the social limitations it requires of its followers. Plus, as is pretty evident, it doesn't work for a vast majority of people.

A few years back I had had enough of the blackouts, drunk driving, hangovers, embarrassment, etc. that this led to a psychological experience I can only describe as "breaking the spell" that alcohol had over me. For the next few years or so I didn't drink during the week and would only drink socially on weekends with friends -- no more than 1 or 2. But then the cravings and excessive drinking returned, slowly at first, and in the form of binges. Then the last few months it was getting to be almost daily drinking even if I didn't get drunk. However, having had the experience of alcohol's spell being broken I knew that was how I wanted to live and that it was possible. I was googling methods of alcohol treatment when I first found out about the Sinclair Method and naltrexone. The concept of pharmacological extinction made perfect sense to me (btw, my major in college and graduate school was in experimental psychology, with a special interest in Learning Theory and psycho-pharmacology so the concepts and language weren't just "gobbledygook" to me). I read their research and visited the sites associated with the method (C3, etc.) and decided to try this method.

I took my first pill last night and it works. Period. I went out with friends, and had a few drinks. Ok, let me rephrase that -- I had a few drinks but the drinks didn't have me ! The craving and fixation on the alcohol was almost totally gone and I found my attention was pleasurably focused on my friends and the conversation, that I was relaxed and not anxious about when I would have another drink. When I left my friend's house I was sober enough to drive and when I got home I didn't have, nor did I want to have, another drink. Normally I will have just 1 or 2 when I'm out and then scurry home to "safely" drink some more. And though I was confident in the research that showed naltrexone would have an effect I didn’t expect it to be so obvious immediately. I don't think/it doesn't feel like last night's experience was due to placebo effect. Anyone who has had a compulsion to drink/drug/etc. knows that it’s not something that can be wished or imagined away. I was very curious to how I would feel and was focused on how I physically/emotionally felt when I imbibed.

I don’t know if my first experience so far is the norm, or if I’m just being my annoying overachiever self , but I am grateful for something that actually works and am eager and curious to follow this road forward, “one pill at a time”. I look forward to reading others' experiences and tips.

Thanks...have a great weekend!

Hi kmcad! Congratulations on finding TSM and thanks for joining the community!

Many people have an initial reaction to Naltrexone, but you may see your drinking levels rise again after this initial decrease. I would say that happens with the majority of those using TSM, so don't let it throw you off, we refer to it as the Honeymoon Period. If your drinking goes back up again it will start dropping from there, sometimes in a "bumpy" fashion. It's just your brain reaching out for it's "favorite toy", it will likely be at least 3-4 months before it stops doing that. Sticking with the Golden Rule (always take the Naltrexone an hour before you drink) will move your cravings down the road of pharmacological extinction. Keep a few with you at all times, just for those surprise situations where you might be drinking away from home. If you drink without the Nal, you'll be running the extinction process backwards at double-speed.

Start a drinking diary/log too, you'll likely find it helpful to look back from time to time. You'll see some posts here with numbers in the signature line, that's what that's about.

"I was very curious to how I would feel and was focused on how I physically/emotionally felt when I imbibed."

Keep that up! That will only help you along the way. See Joanna's post here, especially wrt mindful drinking:

http://optionssavelives.freeforums.net/ ... hints-tips

BTW, if you don't have a copy of The Cure for Alcoholism, we can get you a free PDF copy, just let us know.

Were you able to find a TSM doc, or did you get your Naltrexone online? There's a list of docs on C3's website, if you're interested:

http://www.cthreefoundation.org/find-a-physician.html

Welcome and thanks for sharing your journey with us! We look forward to your posts and updates!

Hi overachiever

I had the same exuberant result on the first night and the second and third and for the first couple of weeks. Its amazing isnt it - leaving drinks unfinished- unheard of! Then I think as JSP says my brain wanted that old buzz back- its favourite toy so I remember going out for dinner and having every drink under the sun - yeah no buzz but def pissed! I think the danger then might be to start thinking maybe I could just have one night where I didnt take NAL and drink- This is Highway to the Danger Zone. So enjoy your "honeymoon" period- its awesome ! After years of those cravings and thoughts of where is my next drink it is lovely to not be consumed by alcohol! I think though your brain my try and get its toy back. As long as you have the pill your brain is going to struggle to get that toy and eventually will give up

Im no guru and a total newbie but wanted to let you know I shared your initial wonder but have had a few snags along the way and am sure there will be plenty more. But I think I am goin ok and= so are You! congratulations and keep us informed.

MD

Thanks for the tips Moderatedrinker. I will be watching for pitfalls and Danger Zones. There is already sadness and anxiety at the thought that a way of life, such as it was, will change but being aware of these feelings make them easier to handle and a reminder to be patient and gentle with myself. So I guess I'll focus on the new possibilities that will open up for me and the non alcohol related things give my life joy and meaning. Some of the newer things will be not having to worry about driving drunk or being anxious about how I appear to others when I'm drinking, feeling a bit of a fraud and not worthy of someone's time and attention.

This new start is a little bit similar to when I quit smoking 36 years ago. I had smoked 1.5+ packs a day for 12 years and it was becoming a hindrance to my social life and health. It was very tough as nicotine is the most wonderful (i.e., addictive) drug -- calms and stimulates at the same time! It took 3 attempts before I finally quit. The last time I didn't cheat whereas the first two times I would sneak a puff here and there (and then I just had one cigarette, and then the next day 3, and on and on). Then after about 3 months of being tobacco free I was at a party and had a cigarette. I awoke the next morning disappointed that I had caved but I cut myself some slack, reaffirmed that I wanted to remain a non-smoker -- and never had another cigarette again. I think that had I not treated myself with compassion/tolerance/forgiveness I would have just started smoking again.

Compliance. Commitment. Compassion. I think I found a new "3C" mantra!

Hey- I love those 3 C's- very clever

Yes saying goodbye to that old life is hard but exciting - all those newer things you talk of are gonna result in such a wonderful life for you!



MD

I'm right there with you! I don't want this honeymoon to end!!! It feels so empowering. You really struck a chord with me as far as the 'safe drinking' element. I know it all to well. 2 drinks at the bar and then I leave early so I can get to the liquor store before it closes and then many drinks at home. Gosh, it takes up so much time.

Wish the honeymoon lasted forever!!!


Chris