Happy hangover-free morning, all!

So here's my deal: I like alcohol less and crave it less. I am much less disappointed when "the session" is over each night.

Since I'm enjoying alcohol less at the moment, I'm now drinking largely out of behavioral habit, and out of the obsessive fear that I will be unable to sleep if I don't drink.

Given all this, would it be outside of TSM protocol for me to intentionally experiment with drinking a little less?

What are your thoughts/experiences?

Thanks!

Hi LOTN

there has been a fair bit of discussion on this issue - do a search on "craving vs habit" and you'll find lots of interesting information I'm sure.

My personal experience was that I had a step change in progress when I tried applying a little 'willpower' in parallel. My understanding of what Eskapa says (I seem to recall him posting something on the topic) is that as long as you aren't holding out through any major cravings then you aren't missing any benefits of TSM

Yes, Eskapa did say that. Eskapa also quotes Sinclair in the book as saying that, while frequency of sessions is beneficial to TSM, adding on drinks per session is not. I don't have time to search now, but I've posted the quote and citation several times.

To the wave of newer folks we've had here lately: Try using the Search button near the top right of the screen if you're curious about a particular aspect of TSM. Chances are there's quite a bit posted about it already. Or, you can use a variety of ways (search Members, click on Profile of the member's post, click the member's name on a topic list, etc.) to review the posts of member who's posts you find engaging. We're always happy to try to answer questions, but don't forget, there is a wealth of information on the site. You also can try the board index, but you never know when a gem will pop up in a thread, so don't limit yourself to that.

One more thing: At times, we've advised one another to avoid overthinking the process. I don't know whether you're doing that, but it's something to keep in mind. As long as you're taking naltrexone an hour before you drink, feel free to change up anything else to see what works for you. You really can't go wrong.

we're all so different. If you can lessen your amount with each session simply because you don't feel like drinking any more go for it. In my opinion any lessening of the amount of alcohol we put into our bodies is a benefit. Let's face it, we're not like "normal" people (whoever they are!) who can have a sip or two and then put the bottle away. At least we aren't like that NOW.

Go with your gut! If you can handle a little discomfort and cut out a session or two, or lessen your amounts at each session without bad cravings and while-knuckling go for it.

From some Cognitive Therapy I'm now going through I read that living with a little discomfort is "normal" and we who can't bear discomfort reach for something to make it go away - ice cream, sex, gambling, or booze. Learning to simply sit with the discomfort for a little while, we see that it usually goes away by itself pretty quickly.

Sorry to blather on but typing out this stuff on others' threads helps me to think!!

Thanks!! I could've sworn the good doctor said something on this subject in his book, but I couldn't remember exactly what. (And can't refer to it, because I gave my book away to an alcoholic who is in much worse shape than me. His roommate reports back that the poor man is now intrigued and hopeful, and planning to call his doctor!)

But anyhow, WOW... to not be craving alcohol for the first time in twenty years?! Woo-hoo! What a golden opportunity to work on the "habit" and "fear" sides of the problem. We shall see how the next few days go.