FYI, lurking on mailing lists and message boards is a common practice. Basically these people are treating the boards like an RSS feed or twitter where they just read what other people post but never post anything themselves.

Personally, I follow a 15-20 mailing lists and message boards, but only actively participate in half a dozen or so. I lurk on the rest of them.

I understand where SR is coming from, as I spend more time on this MB than I should - and my work has been somewhat neglected as a result. While I use the Board as a support for my own journey, that is not my primary focus. The new people coming on need the support and input of people who have been practicing TSM long enough to be experiencing results. Remember the first few weeks, when all we had as an example of success was potato, Q, and N101CS? We might have expected over time that people like SR would remain on Board enough that newcomers could actually see how things worked for him/them as he went through the process.

Early on there was a thread where people came on to beg others who had been successful with TSM to come on Board as examples, and for encouragement. No such members surfaced. Now we see that some people who start experiencing success suddenly don't have the time to stick around here any more. It's kind of a shame, really. Marbella, SR, and some of the other 'early veterans' of this program could post once or twice a week - they wouldn't have to spend that much time at it to be useful members.

the question is, is there real success? hum.........

No doubt about it. Look at the numbers each of us are posting in our signatures. This is hard data that mirrors the clinical trial results detailed in Dr. Eskapa's book. I've gotten my life back and am now enjoying things I used to enjoy instead of not caring about anything because I was so focused on drinking. Here's the great part: I'm not white knuckling. I'm just getting to the point that alcohol doesn't do anything for me. Alot of the time, I could take it or leave it.

Just because a person chooses not to participate in this venue doesn't mean he isn't experiencing success. Both SR and Marby were experiencing great success with TSM.

I'm glad to hear that about SR . Thanks Q .
But I tend to go along with G4M's suggestion how beneficial it is for newites to see if only occaisional posts as you do yourself Q .

Canadian
You stick with it

Today, I was wondering how much I will post in the future after being cured. One would think that I would shout it from the mountaintops. But unfortunately, I am one of those people who commiserate with others with the same problem. And once that problem is gone, my interest wains.

I don't WANT to be like that but that is how I am. Beating this addiction means so much to me, but once it is gone, I don't know what I'll do. I'd like to think that I'd be the cheerleader for those who are starting, or those who are getting discouraged, but likely my life will change and I will not be thinking of alcohol anymore.

I suspect that the "senior members" who are no longer posting here lost interest in alcohol in general and don't want to be reminded of that painful affliction in their life ever again. If they lapsed back to alcoholism, then I suspect we would see an occasional drunken post stating something bizarre. Or if they found a better method, they'd post what that method was. So, their not being here anymore suggests success more than anything else, to me at least.

Bob

Y'all -
I think a big thing is how much time being on this board, reading and posting takes. Don't you agree?? Don't get me wrong - I look forward to it everyday and feel it's very therapuetic (I have tried every spelling for that word & it still doesn't look right! LOL), but at minimum reading and catching up: 1 - 3 hours depending on how much I post back. I remember Springer came back from a trip and said he was on here 4- 5 hours. I could totally understand...

Breaks from here are needed and understandable. I truly think our friends are here, reading, just taking a break from responding. BTW - once this board came to life, I left MWO as I was only on there a couple of weeks anyway. This is what I am doing and all I have time for.

We have already had our dramas. I feel bad for my part in them, but again, I must speak out when I feel strongly about things. I am sorry if I offended anyone by what I said to RR and doubt seriously Marbella or Springer are taking a hiatus based on that off-broadway production. My guess is they need to tend to their real lives!!

So we miss you, Springer & Marbella. Come back soon - I know you will.
whew!! Rest!! XO

Right now, I am always trying to keep up with the latest posts. If, by some miracle, I am EVER able to get a job again that will change. As it is, I often don't take the time to reply because I'm not a fast typist and often don't have the energy. Looking for a job takes a lot of time, and the lack of results often fuels my depression. In turn, I sometimes become lethargic and apathetic. So far, TSM has given me hope, and a more positive outlook than I've had in years, but the chronic depression tries to sneak back in on a regular basis.

Aside from the job situation, TSM has been a tremendous help for my depression. I would always try to regularly check in here, if just to continue posting my progress updates. Not sure I'd be able to keep up with all the new people that come on board, but the growth in membership will always be a good thing.

Yes, I think that might be a problem, as it has been for me. I've let much needed work slide to spend time on here - have been worried that this board is my replacement addiction! But I'm posting a bit less now, and not reading every new post. . .still intend to stay active for my sake, as well as for others who may one day benefit from my experiences, tho.