I have been taking Nal for almost two months now and have not experienced a reduction in cravings. In fact I have experienced craving more than when I was trying to just moderate. I will admit that at times I have forgotten to take it an hour in advance and there have been four or so days when I forgot to bring it with me. I was thinking about heading back to AA but it never worked for me. I know that some have said that drinking may increase initially and then reduce dramatically at a certain point. Can anyone give me words of encouragement? Have any of you experienced the same thing? I am ready to throw in the towel but...I...Just...Am...So..Tired of the struggle. I would really appreciate your feedback!

Thanks,
D.

Hi Modernmuse, sorry to hear you are soo disheartened with your progress, this will not be the first or the last for anyone here this takes patience and yes its a roller coaster ride, no two people are alike. I myself have felt that my alcohol consumption was a lot more than pre TSM and remained so for sometime. I am now commencing my sixth month and am now seeing glimmers of hope I am committed to this for at least a year and I think you should try to think around the same time frame. You are still very early in the course. As far as I was concerned when I was two month on the course I saw very little advantages and mostly disadvantages at that stage but now I am quite pleased, so far, as I am seeing advantages now in the treatment. Please hold on and keep taking your Nal, try not to forget and keep it with you at all times, in your wallet etc so you do not forget I wish you the best of luck and keep posting here and I will keep a look out for your progress.

Good luck and look to the future, it takes patience! xx

Hang in there mate (gender non specific)

you MUST ABSOLUTELY take NAL before that 1st drink, it DOES work but like the affliction its so very subtle and insidious you wont notice it until you do (...yeah a tautology )sp?)) but there WILL be a change

Just as skeptical/cautious/comcerned but it does take time for nueroplasticity (re-wiring) to occur......

peace dont give UP please......

All I can say is ALWAYS take the NAL an dhour beforehand. If not, you are reinforcing the behavior. I wouldn't be without my NAL for the world. Go back to A.A. if you like, but remember that both will require a conscious effort. hope whatever you do works

9 months in and still not cured.

I have been off the boards as I don't want to be a discouragement, but I do feel the glimmers and know this... that what are your options? Give it a year or even 1.5 years. Then consider baclofen in my opinion.

NAL at least lets me make conscious decisions. I may still be drinking to excess but I have a choice. The habit not craving has taken over and is over compensating. I expect to be cured within 6 months. Whether the mrs. will weather that storm is yet to be seen ...BEst, Jim

Good to see you Jim, I was wondering where you were at. Yeah tsm has benifits long before the final cure and as you say whats the alternative?. I pray your partner sticks with your plan. Dont lose hope and focusing on the benifits should help your spirit.

PS how is your friend doing? I think of him alot also.

Jim,

Like you, the habit is taking over the craving. I don't crave it, I just do it, and sometimes I overcompensate as well. One year Aug. 25th, but I'm going to give it at least another 3-6 months from there as I also know I have choices and I do feel glimmers as well. I've not looked into baclofen yet. The ex left June 30th, I've been very depressed since, but in the last few days I'm pulling myself together. I'm going to give myself another week or so of just 'being', (trying to get used to him not being around) then try to consciously practice having at least one AF day and see how it goes!

-petal

Hey All,

Thanks for warm responses.

Mario, Jerry is doing fine, but has not improved from his 6 to almost 10 or 12 rarely. Pre TSM, he would do a case of beer a day and be incapacitated.

Petal, you hang in there. Feel sad, breakups stink. But remember, this too will pass. I don't know where we're at but time will tell for sure. I'm coming up on year in September so we were about teh same time.

I am busy this week transcribing charts for a festival that I am the Musical Director. I have to find more time non ALcohol so it is forcing me to at least start later....i.e. 10 PM. But I usually drink till 2 or 3 and this is not good. Plateauing at around 9 units per day. I really need some AF days but cant make it happen. I would like at least less units.

Hang in there everyone. Great to see some of the new cured folks....My Best, Jim