After 2 months I had seen an improvement in my drinking - cut out Vodka and reduced my units by more than 50%.

However over the weekend I binged on wine and my thoughts were consumed by drinking again - it felt like Nal was having no affect.

I had a day alone yesterday and bought 350mls Vodka - I felt like I wanted to 'test' the Nal, or maybe felt I was on a self-destructive streak after the weekend binge.

Anyway, I drank the Vodka over 4 hours - I got the warm fuzzy feeling again which worried me. Felt crap later on & though as my partner could tell, and the usual feelings of self-loathing.

I want to have some forced AF days but unsure if this is the best way to get the most out of Nal? I'm thinking about Vodka today

Mum -

I've read of people "drinking past the Nal", as I understand it, it's about not listening to your body and realizing when it's saying it's had enough. After all, you only need one drink per session on Nal to move the extinction process one step forward. As I understand it, you're using 50mg Naltrexone? Well, if you feel the devil in you one day or the other, you might try breaking the pill in half then take both halves. If the drinking session reaches beyond 12 hours, it's been suggested by others to take another 25mg. BTW, are you taking any other meds?

That being said, many do fluctuate quite a bit in the first few months, so don't get too worried about it. Keep taking the Nal 1 hour before you drink and you will be doing your part. Adding in mindfulness will help to accelerate the process, but patience is required to be sure. Some have taken over a year before the switch flips for them, many fall in the 4-6 month range. If you feel like you'd like to try for an AF day, by all means give it a go! If you start craving, then take the Nal, wait an hour and ask yourself if you REALLY want that drink. If you do, then go ahead and have one. As we say around here: "No White Knuckling Allowed". The reason for that being that you shouldn't waste a good opportunity such as when the urge clearly presents itself. That's the time to strike!

So, all in all, while it's maybe not what you hoped for, it's well within the bounds of what others have experience on this journey. Nal on, Mum!

Mumofone - two months is such early days - and we go up and down - someone likened it to a roller coaster ride. I would not force AF days - I agree with Joe - no white knuckling. I did not have any AF days until I had been on Nal for at least 4 months or so and even then, used Antabuse to have them - which was frowned upon by some here but I needed to have them - anyway - just keep on keeping on. Just because you had a binge, does not mean the nal is not working. you didn't get to where you are overnight and will not be cured overnight. As I said, it is really early days yet for you. Just keep taking the nal - maybe try and be more mindful with your drinking?

hang in there, Hugs, Maggie x

Maggie's right, it's very early and your experience is normal. you'll have days vodka sounds good and you WILL imbibe. keep taking the Nal, stay the course, and it will get better. and don't beat yourself up for it. being patient is very worth it!

Mum - I had plenty of set backs during the first several months. It happens. Don't worry and do not beat yourself up. It took years to get into this bad place with AL so it will take some time to "reboot" your brain and your habits. Just promise to keep taking your NAL an hour before you drink. And if you drink - so be it. Of course it would be better to drink less - but if you can't or won't today - it might start kicking in tomorrow and you will drink less. It is part of the process.

Thank-you for the kind words and support.

I've slipped back into the Vodka in the last week - still taking the Nal - still wanting the Vodka!!

I need to make more effort...I thought I was done with Vodka. Difficult time in my relationship

Mum, you're still early on, so don't let it throw you. Keep pushing back, keep exercising that muscle that helps you find a way to cap the quantity. Listen for the cue that your body is telling you it really doesn't want any more. It may not come tomorrow or the next day, but it will come. The relationship will get straightened out, you'll see.

How much Nal are you taking at this point?

Mum,

Are you still taking Campral?

I am unfamiliar with this drug and unsure how it would effect your progress with TSM. I thought Campral is to be used with abstinence. If you are working with a doctor that is familiar with TSM, I am sure all good, but I was just curious.

I was a wine drinker with a vodka (or gin) chaser when I needed an extra buzz, and although I didn't drink anything harder than wine, my desire for any alcohol is completely diminished. I still desire the taste of beer (strange for I am not a beer drinker), but to me it isn't worth the calories. You will get there. I believe the rule is to drink as you normally do (meaning what triggers you to drink and what you normally drink) and drink as slowly as possible. Listen to your brain for things are different. To slow the drinking process down drink a lot of water before and in between SIPS of alcohol.

I did not see a difference until I was 12-16 weeks in, and I could not do an AF day (without the help of a nal-over) until the 16th week, BUT everyone is different. Just keep doing what you are doing, and the rest will follow.

Jaba

I'm taking Campral yes, and you're right it is to be used with abstinence....I find that it curbs craving *when* I've had a couple of AF days, however I do wonder what effect it's having whilst I'm doing TSM. I've been toying with the idea of stopping it...and tbh this last week I haven't really bothered. Perhaps I should just concentrate on TSM....my GP is not really clued up on either meds so no use in having the conversation with him really. I guess I worry that giving up Campral may reduce my chances of staying AF? only one way to find out I suppose...in addition, it's getting really expensive buying all these meds! I also take Lexapro daily which is an SSRI.

I'm still drinking Vodka...last few days have been a bit better however. I'm hoping next week I'll feel stronger. It's worth noting that my Counsellor cancelled last week, and I haven't yet organised a new meeting.

Mum -

If you look back, did starting the Lexapro change your drinking at all?

You could perhaps pop over to Patient.info, into the discussion forums and see if you can catch PaulJTurner1964. He runs Alcohol Home Treatment and is a TSM-aware Psych Nurse. Maybe bounce it off him and see if he can point you to some info wrt Nal and Campral. http://patient.info/forums/discuss/brow ... umption-23

Have you Skyped with Joanna yet? You can email her at Joanna@CThreeEurope.com and set up an appointment, it's free for TSM'ers. People really seem to get a lot out of it. She's a certified alch abuse counselor and provides counseling for folks on NHS that can't get Selincro unless they have counseling set up. She's not a medical professional, so she can't advise you on the Campral in that sense, but she might be able to relate her experience in the matter or help you get to the right person to ask about it. She has Dr. Eskapa's ear too.