It'll be week 3 on TSM this week and I've been religiously following the golden rule. I have read the book and really found that useful in terms of understanding the concepts Dr's Eskapa and Sinclair mention.

First couple of weeks were a bit up and down.

This last week I have reverted back to drinking red wine, whereas before I had been on (largely) beer in an attempt to cut down
before I had stumbled across TSM.

I seem to have steadied at 2 bottles of red an evening - this is not my worst by any means but is slightly up on Units (22)
from what I had been averaging with beer for the last few weeks - daily average (17ish).

(However at my worst (two or three years ago) I was probably averaging 20+ daily and likely 40 at weekends).

Anyways - I am drinking slower but seem to have more conscious realisation as I am drinking - I don't know what's happening but I am almost enjoying it more in a perverse way(?!) - part of me is thinking I have to keep drinking to reach the point where my brain will say "you don't want to drink" - I seem to be wrestling with this concept in my head. I just want to reach the point where my head says "nah it's OK I don't really feel like it today".

Have others experienced this or similar ? I know it's early days (19 on TSM to be precise) - but I have not had a day off now for several months and I'm feeling guilty about that too and my general health. Fortunately I am taking regular doses of Liver Detox tablets (Now Foods herbal ones) which really seem to help - my complexion, skin are better and I no longer look dehydrated. I think my bodies just about holding up too although I do worry at times as I have been drinking twenty years.

All thoughts welcome, thanks folks, really appreciate the support and help people are giving each other on here, great encouragement.

Best to all, John

Hello John,

New too, only day 9, I've drunk everyday with the golden rule; bit frustrated as in fact normally I have 1 or 2 AF days a week (I hate them!) Going through a hassled time at the moment so to be fair I would be drinking in anycase.

Only big difference I've found is this weekend I went to visit my daughter and twice left some undrunk wine in a bottle in a restaurant.... have never done this before.

I haven't yet found a decrease much in amounts I drink, but do notice without the buzz how tired I am when drunk

Hey John, a big applause for your perfect execution of the protocol so far....keep it up...nice. I had a similar experience as your "more conscious realisation as I am drinking". I termed it as a "added mindfulness" at the time. I also enjoyed drinking a little more like you. From my point of view...things couldn't be going better for you. The nal is absolutely working and its just a matter of time before your journaling starts to prove it. The book recommends taking this out a minimum of 3 to 4 months before casting judgment. Let the nal and your original brain do all the work. Try not to give any serious weight to what your conscious mind has to say. It has nothing to do with your recovery. You are much closer to a miracle then you could possibly imagine as long as you follow the protocol without exception. Stay the course.

Hi John,

As plantpr0 said: Keep it up.

If you look at my weekly progress my units also increased from week 1 to 3. It's apparently pretty normal that an increase happens in the beginning. After you have followed the protocol for a bit longer I recommend that you include a weekly goal of units. This way you can track your regaining of control. I personally feel it's a good supplement to the protocol and it increases motivation.

Cheers Nigelr, Martrol and plantpr0 (et al)

That all great advice - thanks a lot.

I'm determined - like I have never been before.

I find this all quite exciting to be honest - the fact that I know I am heading in the right direction, despite still drinking! - beats the hell out of abstinence and all that self-loathing nonsense.

I think I am likely heading for abstinence (eventually) but now at least I don't feel under too much pressure and like someone's watching over me with a big stick. I'm too old for that stuff - just hope my cravings will eventually disappear, but from what I have read about, thankfully this seems to be most people's journey.

Cheers for all your support folks, this whole project (i.e. to be free of the grip of the booze) excites me beyond belief - whatever the outcome - I know we're heading the right way - THANK YOU x

It's totally possible. States like "I've had enough alcohol" and "Nah, not tonight" are real, and you'll get them eventually. I think it's just too early in your process.

I am on day 6 and am only on 12.5 mg which I am told will not even make a difference but I'm telling you an hour after taking that little amount I am feeling pretty drugged and tired. But of course I am drinking wine right now and like you Jalapeno - I am drinking slower but seem to have more conscious realisation as I am drinking. As I am having another glass of wine I am really savoring it and enjoying it also. I was going to take an AF day but I really think I need to keep with it (waiting for the book so not sure) to keep the drug in my system so I can slowly get used to upping my dose to 25 mg then finally 50 mg. At this point I don't know how I would handle that as I can barely handle the 12.5 mg but Thank God my symptoms are getting better. It was like being on Acid for me the first 2 days on 50 mg, ughh.
I usually drink 1 bottle of wine a night and if I drink anymore the hangover is wicked. So tonight I am trying to keep it 3/4 of a bottle as I have to see the Doctor tomorrow and see if she will prescribe me Naltrexone as the on call Doctor very reluctantly only gave me 7 pills after I insisted he give me a few.
I was saying the same thing Jalapeno today that I am excited about this as I feel like I have been going further and further down into the dark tunnel where now I finally feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am just nervous that my Doctor will not prescribe me the Nal (I did print the letter off the website for a doctor to take) or want me to go into a support group which I have done everything under the sun and it does not work for me. I believe in The Sincalir Method totally. Yesterday only had 1/4 of a bottle and the night before really weird only 1 glass of wine, that would never ever happen in the past and it's only 6 day on 12.5 mg maybe a placebo but hey I will take that too.