That's what I did WTE- I did not want to be waiting months for it (I live in Spain) so I just looked for a private doctor in my town that does not know me, and also one that is more generally used by tourists who have fallen over drunk (there is alot of that about here) who need there knees patching up and that sort of thing.

It worked as he did not ask me one single question about my drinking-I was in there about one and a half minutes.

However when I left I was elated that I had that piece of paper in my hand but a bit disappointed that he hadn't cared even a tiny bit. It would be nice to have the interest and support of a doctor, but if not I will survive.
(I did not think I would 2 months ago!!)

WTE

I do sympathise with the friends thing.

I tried to explain myself to some of my friends, that I needed to distance myself because I was drinking to the point of being a danger to me and others around me, but they either insisted I did not have a problem, and that I just went overboard at times, or they said I was being miserable and unsociable.

I had to conclude they were being rather selfish- by ignoring my needs and problems because it did not fit in with their desires and plans.

I don't actually regret my decision with distancing myself- nobody calls me up anymore, and friends who have always got in touch at Christmas for as long as I remember did not this year.

It is a bit sad and a bit lonely, but I think I have now made room in my life for more healthy genuine friendships that will surely come along.

I wish you luck in working it out- it isn't easy.

Hey Sasha and Happy etc

I am on the 50 MG and here i am after one week on tonight.

Pre Nal units per week - 50 ish
Week 1 - 20 units.
The craving measure is a little hard for me to put a number on. I was a bit give or take tonight but took a Nal anyway just in case.

Thanks to reading here before starting on this journey I think I am now over the honeymoon! Sasha you'll be pleased as you didn't even get yours.
Sat night I had two beers and three small glasses (ie actual glasses as opposed to goblets holding a quarter of a bottle) of wine. That was my biggest night all week. I am trying to be really honest about it and not "tryng" not to drink. I just go with how I feel and if I fancy another drink I am having one and not thinking about what number I am up to.

So week one observations to anyone starting after me – cruising. No hangover feeling it brilliant. I have been really upbeat and sleeping very soundly. I am enjoying my babies and husband more and generally happier - due to quality of sleep. I would sleep roughly and wake really early am pre Nal and drinking. I think my honeymoon is over as I no longer have a major desire not to drink if that makes sense. So I know the units will creep up this week. But that is cool. Very positive even though I know this week the numbers will go up. I think the positive is partly the sensation I am actually doing something. This is my first time admitting and actioning I have an issue with alcohol. Quite liberating really and will the SM and all you guys I am feeling good about stuff in general.

Hi Cash, congrats on week one - sounds like you're doing really great. I, too, struggle a bit with measuring cravings - it's so subjective, isn't it? Maybe, having settled into our drinking patterns over months or years, we are suppressing cravings when we are not drinking because we know that we will get our fix in a few hours, days, etc? Perhaps someone more knowledgeable about alc addiction could jump in and explain. All the best. Shasha.

I think strong cravings are really quite conspicuous they're not likely to go unnoticed
an overwhelming desire to drink is fairly imperious in its demand . Maybe this could be clearly an 8 - 10 . Cravings from 0- 5 are less conspicuous and of the type Shasha notes we've so much training in suppressing . Maybe this just needs a little
watchfulness to retrain keep ,observing and listening carefully to the voice that suggests in so many ways "have a drink" cos that's the bottom line always; be it
a beer ad , an image of a holiday or friend or way of drinking in such and such a country etc, etc;
There's also the suppression coming more from the outside like maybe for many there are just certain days which lend more readily to having a drink , If you know wednesday is ideal as thursday has less or no professional obligations then pencil it in and it's highly likely that the desire to drink will rise cos you've accepted it's allowed . Perhaps this is auto suggestion .
Drinking every day posed me such problems a few years ago that i just did all I could to contain it at weekends , it didn't always work but generally did but it meant frequently resisting quite high urges or just slipping mid week sometimes.
So for me I'm trying to relax this avoid two days in a row and be happy with 3 or 4
days a week . that sounds very structured but if the craving goes to more than 5
I'll have a drink .
I know we're all different and don't know if i can provide the knowledgeable response Shasha wants but no doubt someone else will have something too suggest too .
Or perhaps it'd be an idea to be totally arbitrary by drinking every other day you
might never get such high cravings or even every day !!!??
if there's one thing I'm sure of now, alcoholism isn't about quantity , I drink much less than five years ago but seem to be more obssessed by the whole ruddy thing
be it drinking or not drinking . Which is why I rather question the value of recovery
groups sometimes .( sorry another point, (but i don't see this as a recovery group)

The first week on Naltrexone was very strange for me as well. Don't gauge your reaction to Nal based on the first week you are on it.

I initially felt a bit strange, but this passed after the first week. After this, I continued to feel very tired after taking Nal and drinking even a small amount of alcohol. If you read some of SpringerRider's posts, you'll see he had the same reaction.

I've noticed over the last couple weeks, that this fatigue after taking Nal and drinking isn't so bad. In fact, lately I've not had it at all.

Look at it this way: A few Sinclair Method related discomforts is ALOT better than white knuckling it or enduring hangovers.

Q

This will pass. Just about all of us had a huge drop in our drinking levels the first week -- The Honeymoon Phase. Don't be discouraged when you drinking levels jump back up in the coming days/weeks. This is normal.

True Extinction takes time -- 3-4 months, or more.

Come back March Starters!

I have been slack of late - so any newbies reading this do not be discouraged. Nal is the best!

Well I have made it to week 5 – just starting. Sorry I have been out of touch – just busy.
What to report. Well week 4 was a little disappointing as expected – but saying that maybe I am being too critical as you will see from the below I am still drinking less than pre NAL. I had 2 beers and a bottle of wine on the Thurs, then again on the Friday and felt terrible on the Saturday morning. I think the cumulative effect of two nights in a row made me feel terrible. On the upside - I think my tolerance has decreased hence the feeling crap.
So I am glad to say I have stuck with the rule – take Nal 1 hour before drinking. I think I am now averaging say 3 or 4 drinks/glasses a night. Pre Nal was about 7 or 8.

Hey Waiting,

I get a sense that I am on to something really good here. I am starting to feel better generally. IT can only get better.

Waiting - I never welcomed you in March - glad you were finally able to start! I think you should start an April starters thread!

Cash - your pattern looks totally normal, congrats on the first month and thank you for posting your progress. The first month went by fast, huh?

Happy Easter to all.