as i mentioned last week, i have been keeping up with the process, although i am having a lot of trouble being patient. i keep taking the nal, at least 1 hour before i drink and i am proud of myself for sticking to that 100%.

i guess i just feel a bit emotional and depressed because i dont want to drink but i continue to keep drinking. and now i am constantly having internal conversations where i wonder why i am still doing this and i weigh out all the reasons that i should quit drinking and yet all i seem to do is to continue drinking and it makes me have less faith and self esteem.

having that loss of self esteem isnt really helping me out right now either. its like a vicious cycle.

Hi forward thinking -
I am about like you - 10 weeks in. It is a roller coaster to be sure. I have had weeks where I feel great and in control and then others where I seem to drink mindlessly. It is definitely a habit, because the week that I had the most success was the week where I was out of town and out of my element. I do know, however, that it will come easier the longer I go, because when I drink now there is not the out of control component - sure I do still drink too much out of habit and probably because the brain wants to somehow get the high - but the out of control craving is not there. So, I know I can do this, and so can you. It seems to just take a little more effort than I thought, but I think we are still kind of new so it maybe will get easier.
Also, don't beat yourself up for drinking, it is the drinking with the Naltrexone that will eventually extinguish the behavior!

thanks for the reply. we do sound about the same. i too am better when i am out of my element. but at home in my norm its just habit that takes over. i do get out of control at times though still. i have just created boundaries for myself to protect myself. but i had most of my stomach removed and i digest alcohol super quick!!! im sure that people can drink a lot more than me and not be wasted. i am about 1.5 bottles of wine.
i guess its just one day at a time right now. and being kind to ourselves.

Forward and Susie,

This not an expert opinion - but it is the opinion of experience - so take it for what it is worth. I believe that both of you are on your way to getting what you want. I have read where both of you started the way the rest of us have. Desperate for a solution. And over time you have both noted something feels different. And since you have felt some of the effect you want the rest of the cure right away. But it does take time. You have felt the first stage the "different feeling". Next you will feel the "why am I still drinking" stage when you are still drinking even though you are not getting the narcotic feeling. Then you will be at the " did I really have an AF day without any problem stage" and then you will be at the "why do I not feel like drinking today stage", and then the feeling of control stage.
The problem is that it is not a straight line and we bounce a little between the stages. but as long as you can feel the difference the rest will come. Not quickly - but it will come.

I am bouncing between the why no drinking stage and the cure but I still have a bad day or two.

Of course I could have said, it takes time! But recognize the different stages you reach!

The old me would say: "Buck up. You've been a drunk for how long, and now you expect an instant cure? Have you not taken the time to read how TSM works?"

But people get all bent up when I do that, so I won't. Instead I'll say "If you don't always take your pill you're doomed. If you do always take it (forever), -you'll be fine.

How's that? Did I do all right?

That's about it, it works, it does take time.

Hey FT, I know it's hard not to get down when the results aren't happening faster than we wish they would. I haven't had any earth shattering breakthroughs yet like some have. But I do see baby steps every now and then. Just keep on keeping on and post here about your frustrations. It's easier to wade through this muck with others.... plus, we'll talk you off the ledge if you ever entertain the thought of going off Nal.

MinneMom

thanks so much. and clarion you did help bc you are right...how long were we drunk? its not going to just come overnight.

going off alcohol have any of you noticed weight loss? also, do you have to stay on nal forever even if you arent drinking? and if so, is there a long term affect to that?

FT,

I did notice weight loss, for I was drinking a lot of calories (over 1200 a day).

You should not stay on the nal. if you are not going to drink; however, if you cannot trust yourself go a head and take the nal. But, once that hour is up and the you decide not to drink, there is no harm done just a waste of a pill.

The purpose of an alcohol free day (AF day) is to be off the nal. and to help reenforce those good endorphins without the nal blocking them. So, if you are not drinking and not taking nal plan things that make you feel good (cuddle a baby, make love, eat good food, exercise...). This will help your brain to realize there are better things to look forward to beside drinking. It may take more than a day for the nal to clear your system, and that is why they advise a planned 3 AF days (if you can manage them), but one day is better than none.



I have not found anything on the internet about long term use, but this was on wikipedia:
There has been some controversy regarding the use of opioid-receptor antagonists, such as naltrexone, in the long-term management of opioid dependence due to the effect of these agents in sensitizing the opioid receptors. That is, after therapy, the opioid receptors continue to have increased sensitivity for a period during which the patient is at increased risk of opioid overdose.[citation needed] This effect reinforces the necessity of monitoring of therapy and provision of patient support measures by medical practitioners.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naltrexone

As you see there is a citation needed, so it is questionable.

The purpose of TSM is to eventually drink within healthy limits, which may (or may not) mean daily drinking. As you progress in this process you may feel it isn't worth the calories or hassle in drinking, for your brain has changed its relationship with alcohol and you are able to live without it.

I will continue to see if there has been any reports of long term usage with nal.

Happy holidays,

Jaba

FT,

I came across this on the forum (hopefully the link works):

http://www.thesinclairmethod.com/commun ... f=5&t=2047

Someone already looked into the long term effects of being on nal.

Jaba