Hi everyone, I have been a member of this site for a few months but have never introduced myself. I figured it was time to contribute and introduce myself.

By way of background I started drinking when i was 15. I always felt awkward and used it to ease my general anxiety. I used to "fit in" and it worked well for that purpose. I eventually began to drink before any type of social situation. The only time I didn't drink was at work for fear that it would affect my performance. In any event I eventually became a functioning alcoholic. I am now married with a one year old and am 4 months into this method.

I was prescribed naltrexone a few years ago after my wife finally put her foot down about my drinking. I admitted that I had a drinking problem and checked myself into an outpatient program at a local hospital. I was not a fan of the program but did get a psychiatrist there to give me a prescription for naltrexone. I had already read Dr. Sinclair's book and knowing that most doctors would be wary of the Sinclair method I told the psychiatrist that I would take the naltrexone and abstain from alcohol. He willingly wrote the prescription and I stopped attending the program.

I then began "sloppily" following the method. I would take a pill and then immediately start drinking or I would start drinking and then take a pill. Sometimes I would drink without taking a pill. When I did follow the "golden rule" I absolutely noticed an effect. Alcohol did not taste the same and by drinking would slow down. I also would not get a traditional buzz but still felt slightly drunk. It was a feeling that is hard to explain because in the years leading up to my realization that I had a problem I was not really enjoying drinking anyway. I know many alcoholics explain that they no longer enjoy drinking so I guess I got to that stage when I started taking Nal.

In any event I feel the Nal did have an effect on me but like many on this site I stopped taking it and fell back into my old patterns (secret drinking, day drinking, heavy drinking at night). I was back to by old ways for about a year and then my wife then gave birth to my daughter and I knew that the drinking had to stop or get under control for the sake of our family. I have been taking Nal consistenly for 3 months now and follow the golden rule to the T. I definitely feel its effects and had a short honeymoon period where I drank much less. I no longer get drunk and drinking has no pleasurable effect on me other than deadening the hangover symptoms. My numbers are concerning me though. I must say that I do not keep a log of my drinking although I should. I am noticing that my drinking has now gotten back to pre-sinclair method numbers (maybe a bit less) and this concerns me. I also have only managed one alcohol free day in the last 3 months.

Should I be worried that this isn't working? Maybe some members with more experience can give me some support or advice. I would greatly appreciate it. Also can someone help me with counting units? Is one unit of alcohol equal to one ounce of 80 proof spirit?

Three months isn't all that long in TSM terms. Some people respond that quickly, but your earlier experience with giving yourself intermittent reinforcement means that you're not likely to be one of them.

If I were you, I'd keep going. Do keep a journal, and do graph the results -- the graph provides a great visual to reassure people whose progress is gradual. The odds are good that you'll respond -- the odds are excellent, since you can feel the difference. It'll just take a bit longer than it otherwise would have.

A quick Google search tells me that 1 oz of 40% vodka is 1.18 American units. Units vary by country. People in the USA don't use units much, and many of us confuse units with standard drinks. I don't think it matters which system you use as long as you stick with one system, so that you're comparing apples to apples.

Hang in there. This works; you just need to commit and see it through.

Everything you say seems to point to extinction happening. So try changing your habits. If going to a bar keeps putting a beer in your hand, try going elsewhere.