Guapo wrote:
Pinning your hopes on one single method whatever it may be appears somewhat irrational, Sinclair method included. That's not to say it doesn't work for some people, it certainly has helped me, but it was by no means the answer
I suppose I am pinning my hopes on TSM a bit, since I have tried so many other things, but I understand what you're saying. I have never been able to make much use of other things that I think might be helpful (e.g. identifying better coping strategies, mindfulness, etc.), since I've been stuck in a cycle of being hung over by day and completely hammered at night for so long. I know that for sure I have a lot of skills to learn, which is to be expected for someone who has been drunk for a couple of decades. I drink every day, but I haven't been drunk since I started taking naltrexone. That blows my mind and gives me a lot of hope.
barryb4 wrote:
What Kate said:
"Maybe it's just a matter of (re)learning to appreciate different sensations as much as we once did the booze?" I think it's a good time to recommend one of my favorite websites,
http://www.rationalrecovery.com and his notion of the "Addictive Voice" or "the beast." Basically, the beast is a term to describe a phenomena whereby when addicts begin to either stop drinking/drugging, or even THINK ABOUT stopping, all sorts of counter-arguments pop into the head of the addict. The more religious among us might attribute this to the devil, but really there's not need to turn to the supernatural. It is a curious phenomena, though, and the first post of this interesting thread (the most active one we've had in months) made me think about it.
I like to use the term, "That's your addiction talking" as a way to simplify the concept of the addictive voice / beast. I think any of us that have made this trek have had all manner of chitter-chatter that we had to work through. By its very nature, alcohol addiction is irrational and borderline ridiculous, so a lot of the arguments I hear now, while I sit "on the other side" of the addiction, seem kind of funny.
As rationalrecovery points out, the beast has no power other than persuasion, and doesn't really even have any good arguments, just emotional appeals. We control our hands, our feet, and our body. Once we identify and recognize the chitter-chatter of addiction, we can begin to gain power over it.
I think this is so helpful and goes great with TSM, except that the Big Plan is "I will never drink again without first taking naltrexone." The "addictive voice" does prattle on with a lot of good reasons not to take it.
barryb4 wrote:
a lot of the arguments I hear now, while I sit "on the other side" of the addiction, seem kind of funny.
My "beast" throws an impressive tantrum. Last night it suggested that I flush the rest of the pills so I couldn't take one today! I think that desperation is a good sign.
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