I am now in my 5th week and I have noticed that the initial wonderful effects of Nal are not doing the same thing recently. PLEASE tell me that this is temporary and that I will still benefit the results of taking Nal on a regular basis. I believe my husband is starting to question the effects of the Nal and I think I will have a hard time to "sell" this treatment much longer unless I can see a definite change. Tell me that it will continue to get better with every drink I take! Thank you.

First, you clearly are responsive to naltrexone. I've never seen anyone here have the honeymoon and then complain that TSM did not work for them. Second, the spike after the honeymoon is entirely normal and happens to almost everybody. It's part of the process. Third, TSM is a roller coaster ride. You do not see or feel improvement with every drink. The rewiring of your brain occurs on a subconscious level and takes time. Fourth, depending upon your drinking history, TSM usually takes six months minimum to work. A handful of people have seen results at three months or so but that is very rare. TSM requires patience and you should be thinking long-term. You didn't get addicted over night and TSM does not recondition you over night either. It takes months, typically 6-12, to regain control.

The method should work for you but you will have to mix in patience. Naltrexone plus drinking plus patience = regaining control.

My best,

Nick

Thanks, Nick. You always seem to provide the right answers! I appreciate it. I will try harder too. Maybe I am just expecting the medication to do ALL the work for me. I have to remember that it is just a tool to HELP me gain control.

Will keep you posted.

By the way, since your hubby needs to see "definite change", do not focus on numbers as the only issue. While on TSM you will experience far more clarity when you drink. Stupid behavior will be reduced. So will hangovers and blackouts. So, don't think of "definite change" just in terms of numbers -- focus on your improved behavior while on the method. It's almost as critical as the reduction in numbers, IMO.