As I read through Dr. Eskapa's book, I get the impression that Dr. Eskapa authored this book instead of Dr. Sinclair because he was a better writer and/or had more experience at published literature.

Dr. Sinclair is the guy that I'd like to see in a chat room for questions.

Don't get me wrong, Dr Eskapa did a wonderful job putting this book together. However, The Sinclair Method is really Dr. Sinclair's baby.

Q

We can all identify with what you are saying here -- it comes with the territory. I can't tell you how many times I've taken extra shots on the sly while mixing drinks for company or hiding bottles because my wife was worried about how much I drink. Heck there have been times when I've been out with my wife or friends and excused myself to the restroom so I could sneak up to the bar and get a shot or two.

All of our situations are different. I showed my wife Dr. Eskapa's book and explained what Dr. Sinclairs method is and this is what I'm going to be doing. Her response was very positive.

I am into my fourth week now. All is going well. I think I have only over-indulged once (drank until I passed out) since starting Naltrexone.

The only difference, for me, between driniking on Nal and not is the anticipation. Before Naltrexone, when I intended to drink the first drink was like opening a present Christmas morning. I am not seeing that now. I think the excitablity is realted to then endorphin release.

I mentioined before that I used to get excited for a drink at the end of a work day, particularly on a Friday or after a significant achievement. That subsides shortly after I take the Nal, but even before I drink.

Hi All. Blood tests all good, Liver, Kidneys, etc. Both the PC doc and Nal doc say my pain was probably intestinal. Well, Good, I can keep taking the Nal.

I so want to be Alcohol Free. Around 6 weeks now and I guess I'm impatient. I'm still drinking 7-9 drinks a day. Just finished my 7th beer for the day. FIrst one around 1:30 so about 1 an hour but still... about the pour me a whiskey and ginger ale.

PLEASE TELL ME THIS WORKS!! The cravings are down but I just keep drinking. I know that's what we're supposed to do but I remeber when I forst started and could have 3 or 4 and be done. Went to bed with water and OJ more than a few times the first week or so.....

Should I be trying to cut down?? SHould I try to not drink some days at this point?? Do I just keep drinking and let it work???

Can any one explain exactly what the graph, the alcohol portions curve on contral and in the book actually represents??

I'm stickin it out. I so want to be free or the alcohol and the cravings.

I just finished my third beer in 3 hours and I think I'm probably done for the night. I'm making a batch of feta cheese (yum!) and need my head clear for it. It works.

RV

Hey y'all -
This is the end of my 3rd day...50 mgs tonight and had my usual several glasses of wine. I drank slower tonight...made some food but wasn't really int'd. I did not feel queezy/queasy/ or even kweesy!! LOL. I'm going to try and not be tedious here. Am keeping my own records.

Oddly, on a personal note, I feel very at peace. I was giddy w/ delight to have gotten the meds finally and arrived here on Friday night...Embarking on this hopeful journey to a healthier way of life has really done a number on me. I have been adjusting to the single life the last 3 yrs., met a man, fell in love, got my heart broken more than a couple of times w/ him...finally trying to be free of all that. It's only slightly easier at 50 than it was at 15, BTW...but not much. Not when he promised you the moon & stars & a tote bag to take them home in!! LOL...but I digress. My drinking has gotten progressively worse in these circumstances and I am worried about myself.

I want to be free. I want to go forth and conquer and not fall on my sword, like I have done so many times. I just feel really good and hopeful about this method. Reading the read and talking the talk and hearing the experiences helps soooooo much. Thousands of dollars we are saving in therapy I think!

Weird as it sounds, this forum has helped w/ my lonliness and the bereft
isolation I sometimes feel in the midst of all the things I do, people I am around, places I go...in the end I come home alone. And drink...to the point of passing out on so many occasions. I am your child's teacher, for godssakes...a functioning dysfunctional...yet I have a very positive outlook and life, many friends, I exercise, play golf, I am doing the online dating bullshit and it can actually be fun sometimes..yaddayaddayadda...

I am a drinker and it is interfering with every aspect of my life. I only drink at night, though...never in the morning or before about 5 on any given day. Otherwise, I am an active, involved, respected middle school teacher...which by that very definition should give me reason to drink!! LOL Just thinking how at peace I have felt this weekend with this "cure" in mind. Uplifted, good...also listening to the Houston Symphony playing John Williams' music w/ my son...just feeling for the first time in so long...comfortable with where I am and what I am doing.

Anyway - gotta turn off now. Thanks for being here & will catch y'all on the upside/Peace out. (I use the jargon in jest - be prepared yo - it is part of my job & the kids' use of it pretty much cracks me up awww duh thyme) LOL

g'nite all

Tomorrow is my appointment with my PCP and I am hopeful I will get a prescription for Nal. I'm a little nervous because I really want to get started on this. If he says NO, I'll wait for my order from River Pharmacy which should show up in a couple weeks.

I have read Dr Eskapa's entire book. For those of you here who do not have this book, you really need to get it and read it. It will encourage you in a way I cannot put into words.

I am hopeful that I will get a Nal prescription tomorrow and can really jump on board. Mostly I have been a binge drinker, where by I would drink very heavily 3-5 times a week. I think I was binge drinking because I though if I didn't drink everyday I was OK and I was trying to hide my problem from my wife (she really only knew about a fraction of my drinking because I drank mostly after she was in bed). Since joining this group ( and in waiting for my NAL prescription) I am evening out my drinking to a daily basis where by my daily intake isn't nearly as high as the binge days. My wife is being very understanding and supportive. She is already enjoying me being honest about my intake instead of doing it on the sly.

My signature reflects my current alcohol intake, 55 units/week.

Looking forward to starting tomorrow!

Good Luck with your appointment Q. I hope it goes well. I just got back from being out of town for a few days. I was alcohol free for the past 3 days but took my Nal this eve and am having first drink. Still doing quite well at this point. I have a concern that I may not be progressing at the usual rate because of my sporadic drinking pattern. Going to keep on going though. All the best to those on the road with me.

Tomorrow I start my 5th week. Actually I will get my prescription filled Saturday. I have noticed my drinking has creeped up. I guess my honeymoon was prolonged.

I don't drink as I did before Nal but it is not unusual foe me to do 6 drinks (by Eskapa's chart) in an evening. They are spaced with a nap in between which brings up another question.

I have drank a 24 oz coors on the way home from work. I will often then nap until supper. After 8 PM or later, I will start drinking double Martinis. I may drink two or three and then turn in. Am I doing this right?

For one thing, I am taking a nap. Is the Nal still in effect when I wake up?

The other is that I am allowing myself to drink w/o resistance. Before Nal, I would actually stop myslef and make myself go to bed(uncomfortably) if I had a serious meeting the next AM or had to travel. Now I kind of snicker that I have a license to drink. But do I?

I almost feel like I am celebrating this new freedom to drink without fear and tell myself that I am curing myself. Am I?

N101CS get this post in front of Eskapa or Sinclair. I am suspicious that the Sinclair method dose not let you see the world like a mesquito in a nudest camp.

SpringerRider,

Do you notice that the Nal makes you more tired after you take it and drink? Last night I went to bed at 8pm -- the combination knocked me out.

Unfortunately, I also woke up at 3am and couldn't get back to sleep until about 5am. Nal seems to interrupt my sleep some. In fact, I find this the hardest side effect to deal with at the moment.

Q