Steve here. So first I would like to explain that I am one of those lucky TSM lab rats who responded immediately. I plan to cure myself and NAL has given me the tool so I refuse to fail. I'm grateful. I expect there are more like me who have abandoned this site because the drama seems counter-productive if you accomplish your goals and move on with your life. I am experimenting, however, and would love input from other members who are also experimenting.
I am going to LDN (low dose Nal) after reading extensively about the health and medicinal benefits. In my research I also learned that people with addictive behaviours tend to be overwhelmingly endorphine deficient. Possibly the central cause of the behaviour. LDN is proven to upgrade normal endorphin production which may effectively give a double whammy when taken just before that evening beer. All theory, of course, but theory with a lot of support.
I am now taking 5mg NAL (the upper end of LDN dosage) with or without AL. Will update as I continue the experiment.

On a separate note to newbies: I strongly suspect that TSM works best for the casual turned abusive drinker that needs a little help to jump off the train before the trainwreck. That drinker who gets back control successfully moves on and probably doesn't dwell here. I'm just saying. I think the honeymoon period is overstated. I believe it must be extremely difficult to overcome a 40 year habit of abuse and to expect NAL to magically wipe all that away is ridiculous. That abuser will always have an extensive and painfull battle ahead of him. My hat is off to all of you fighting that battle. But to the newbie I would say YMMV. You may very well have an easy time of it and the tool of NAL may be all you need to easily take control of your life. Worked for me.

This is interesting. I too have felt that not enough thought is given to how deeply ingrained the habit is. How long would you say you were in the problem/addicted zone?

Steven. I am happy for you. But in reading the threads on here it seems to me that NAL has helped all kinds of drinkers. Newlife

Newlife I certainly agree. What I am attempting to point out to the undecided onlooker (like I recently was) is that I think the long time abuser with history of massive AL consumption is possibly over represented here. That person needs and deserves the support he receives here. However the stories of their constant and extended battles with addiction CAN be a little discouraging when deciding to jump in the program. I suppose I'm just trying to be more encouraging to that person on the verge of losing control in saying it CAN be possible to regain control and sometimes it can even be easy. It was in no way painful to change, in my case, but did require some will power.
Jackson, I would say I started drinking habitually but not heavily about 15-20 years ago. Couple beers a night. I separated from wife and had a lot of alone time. I discovered "craft" beer and that became my hobby. I only drank in the evening but quite looked forward to it. I retired slightly early 5 years ago due to an injury and my evening drinking gradually reached about 40 units per week. I stumbled on TSM purely by accident, self diagnosed and self medicated. I did not struggle at all compared to a lot of the members of this forum and feel for the right persons TSM does NOT have to be a painful extended ordeal.
My point is made clumsily but I am trying to relate to and encourage that person who is trying to change early on, before the addiction and physical habit is SO overwhelming. It could be that this simple tool makes it possible to easily avoid wasting 40 years to a life of addiction.

A few thoughts Steve, regarding your thoughts.

I've had very good results with TSM for well over a year, and follow this forum out of interest.

Our society is fixated on drinking, I just spent the afternoon at a graduation party where everyone, and I mean everyone, had a beer in their hand, and if they didn't, someone was rushing to put one there. I didn't feel like drinking, so I didn't. Made no difference in terms of enjoying the event.

Spent the night at another graduation party last night, and an inebriette kept trying to fill her wine glass with an empty bottle. No more wine at the party ! The host of the party was drunk, and fell down the stairs and almost ended up in the hospital

I took a 12.5 mg NAL (to decrease prolonged after effect) before going, and had two small glasses of wine, but even that honestly isn't really worth it anymore.

Anyway, I digress.


In my case at least, it took some months before my thoughts about alcohol and drinking really changed. I don't believe thoughts and perspective can change, when you're drinking all the time.

Anyway, naltrexone is a beautiful solution to tremendously difficult problem for many. It is best used to wean from excessive alcohol use, and develop indifference, which ultimately results in seeing alcohol as a take it or leave it proposition.


It's mystifying to see people here guzzling away, and expecting things to change, when what needs to really change is to quit guzzling, and stop making alcohol the focus of your life.

You say that this is best for the person who can jump from the alcohol train before it is truly out of control. Well, if that's the case, what options are left for those on the out-of-control train? Abstinence, 12 steps, moderation management ..... ?

The problem with all those methods, is that alcohol remains the focus of your life. You either crave it because its now forbidden, or you moderate and worry all the time as to whether you're drinking too much, and most of the people on the moderation forum do just that.

I followed forums for moderation management and abstinence, and I didn't see much success there either.

Indifference is a great indicator of success, because now you can focus on positive and meaningful things in life.

If you're willing to put some determination and effort into changing your behavior, the behavior will change, and NAL is a great aid

Mindless drinking, naltrexone or not, it's going to result in more mindless drinking.

If that's the case, why bother with naltrexone, just keep on drinking, and forget about it.

I shudder to imagine a life of forced abstinence and the joyless hell of endlessly craving the forbidden drink.

However, after developing indifference to alcohol, what you do is a choice, not a mandate

Greetings, Guapo. I find myself quite in agreement with most all of your posts and comments. I haven't the length of experience you have but I have similar attitudes. The biggest change for me is that AL is no longer the overriding importance in my life. You describe it as an indifference and while I am not quite at that level, I am fully in control of my drinking. I allow myself 0, 1 or 2 beers as I see fit and stick with my decision.
Again I am NOT trying to say heavy drinkers should not try TSM!
Again my hat is off to them and I greatly sympathize with their hardship. I DO believe the profoundly addicted WILL have a much tougher time even with the tool of NAL.
Again I AM saying lighter drinkers may be more successful and it may go much EASIER for them and they should NOT be put off by the dreary and painful stories of people battling truly monstrous addictions.
Again I think the younger beginning problem drinker may find NAL an easy and painless way to avoid the wasted years of pointless and stupid addiction that we went through.
Again I AM saying "Hey, young dude, give it a try. Worked for me and painlessly. Don't waste 40 years!"

Steve.

Yeah, it's tough for anyone doing any of these methods. Let's face it, anything you do is going to require some effort, that's right, effort.

Glad you're doing well with all of this.

I'd love to hear how it goes with the LDN.

The 50 mg dose of naltrexone work great, but the 12.5 works just as well, plus there's no prolonged meh ... effects the next few days

So far it's business as usual with 5mg dose. Bear in mind my max allowed is 2 beers and never over extended time period. Would take booster if that was going on. I was never much bothered by side effects but a friend on the forum (mason) had a VERY rough time with them. She inspired my interest in LDN and we discovered a lot of interesting research. NAL has some amazing attributes in low dose form that don't apply in the 24 hour dose. Thus the experiment beyond TSM.
In truth, I never carefully studied TSM. My take from discussions here is that the main tenet is to 1: Take 50mg NAL and then, an hour later, 2: Drink as usual.
Had I done that I doubt I would have gained any control over my drinking addiction. Seems quite counter-intuitive not to use the tool to reduce and control as soon as possible. Turn the "honeymoon" into a beautiful, functional marriage. If you are still dating the toxic girlfriend on the side it probably is NOT going to work. That's just me and my head. YMMV.
Peace
Steve

Roger that

Lighter drinker?

I drank to black out, 30 UK units every time I drank, sometimes every day for weeks at a time, sometimes 2-3 days a week.

I tried everything over a 8 year period (I'd had problems before then), 12-step, private rehab, Campral, home detoxes, recovery groups, AA, alcohol counselling, got myself hobbies, stopped and started work, changed job, moved house, moved relationship. Became so ill I couldn't work or take part in the hobbies I loved so much.........family couldn't deal with it any more........

I was in trouble with the law, wrecked relationships, lost jobs, lost friends, went through a bankruptcy, was so depressed I tried to kill myself many times, crashed my car, jumped in a flooded river during winter..............the list goes on.

Oh I wasn't that bad, I just needed a hand to stop.

Flamin' heck.