Ugh, that moment when you've had a few glasses of wine out of pure habit and realize there's no reward coming. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Just a vague sense of disconnection and disappointment and muddiness. I really just wanted to zone out on the couch and listen to stupid shout shows and maybe have a nap. Not happening.

My rational brain is totally cool with that. Success! My alcohol-driven, rat-lever-pressing, opioids-expecting brain, is kind of infuriated. Where is the tipping point where the rational brain finally overtakes the limbic system (or whatever it is) and gently nudges one into: "sure, you could have another, but why? It will just piss you off and make tomorrow that much more aggravating."?? What does it feel like when you finally get to: "You know, orange juice would be good right now." Would love to hear about other people's experiences.

Posting under the influence ... cheers, Kate.

I encouraged myself to drink other fluids. Keep other stuff on hand and in hand. Eventually you just get thirsty, and if you have something else you are ok with it.

Oh, and if you are thinking about alcohol, thats a craving. Cravings should end at a point. So theres no mental argument, theres just absence of craving.

Most likely, you'll notice it after it has already happened. You'll just be musing one day and realize that, hunh, you don't care about alcohol and haven't in a while.

Those first few times, when the rat brain is frustrated, can be tough. It gets better, usually quickly.



Well, most of us are pretty happy about it. That freedom is why we did this in the first place.

Many of us dither over it for a while before deciding to "call it" and declare ourselves cured. It just seems too good to be true. Did an obsession really just . . . go away?

I was pretty much out of my mind with rage and frustration the first few times I drank on naltrexone. I think the next couple times I went straight to crying. It's rough, but, for me anyway, it got better really quickly. The dying addiction can be pretty obnoxious.


It feels really strange and liberating. I kept thinking I must be mistaken. I even, as a test, let myself fantasize about getting really drunk without naltrexone or consequence to see if I found it appealing. It didn't sound appealing and still doesn't. I still can't believe it. There is alcohol in my house right now, and I don't want to drink it. I'm not resisting it and I'm not afraid of it. I don't worry that something stressful or bad will happen and I'll feel compelled to drink it. I'm not drawn to it and I'm not repulsed by it. I never, ever dreamed that this would be my relationship with alcohol, but there it is.

Imagine a potentially addictive substance or activity that you care nothing about. Now, imagine that you realize that alcohol has moved into that category. Totally messes with your mind, no?

Looking forward to the day. I really envy all you quick responders out there. I definitely notice differences in my thinking about alcohol -- I'm a little more "meh" -- but still reaching for it even when I know there's no good reason to. It doesn't really even taste good anymore. Just a blasted habit.

Stay the course Kate. That day will be here sooner then you think. The habit will automatically fade and 1 day you'll wonder if it was really you. You are doing great and setting a good example for all. Applause