I guess I am a little anxious for the "cure". Sometimes I feel like I am not making much real progress but then I have to look back and take a look at the big picture.

There is no way that I have drank as bad as I did prior to Nal. A week before, I was feeling pretty bad about life. It was, "oh ****, how did I get in this mess". That is all gone. This is real. This is progress. This is better. This is working.

My craving meter is about half. I am not drinking about third day.

That is the biggest thing for me- that feeling of black despair has gone.

I thought I was a weak, emotionally retarded, waste of space- now I think I am perfectly OK, just someone who has a genetic blueprint that might make alcohol a problem who came to live in a heavy drinking environment at a very young age- that is all, no more no less.

It seems quite unbelievable that just a month ago I felt like crap- now I feel fine.

Thanks Q. There is a possiblity at thia point that I am bored rather than truly craving. I have too much time on my hands looking for a job in this economy.

Yes, as I become and live a more sober life, I too realize much of my drinking is a result of boredom so I understand what you, potato, are saying.

I am starting to think about "plugging in" to something. It is a good feeling. And it is a result of me not being so apathetic while having AL in my brain and body.

I too feel setbacks, but must remember just how very much I have accomplished in this endeavor. AT least we are the people who are attempting to change, and we shall!

A wierd thing I noticed yesterday when getting off work is that I know longer have the excitement about drinking. I think I mess that. excitement = craving

It used to be on certain days, especially high stress ones or ones where I solved a big problem, I would grab a 24oz. Coors on the way home and that would start out the evening. Now if I do grab the beer, it takes me an hour to drink it and I want to go to bed when I get home. I need another "big" reward on days like that.

I've been very aware that it's important to replace the alcohol activities with more healthy outlets. For months I've wanted to join a group of fellow Reiki practitioners at their weekly fellowship. . .but because they have it on Friday evenings (dontcha know Friday=partyday ), I've never made it. Makes no sense to show up there at 7 p.m., when Friday drinking always starts by 5 - and drinking is NOT conducive to spiritual connectedness, in my experience.

Now I'm really looking forward to doing that soon. . .not tonight. . .but soon. . .

I believe that's a realistic goal, thanks to TSM! I also believe I'll get back to the healthy exercises and outdoor activities I used to practice regularly - and I'll feel like doing so just in time for Spring. In spite of some financial pressures, life is starting to feel good again!

Thanks Oceana for your reply and SR and Going4more as well. I think I am starting to see that I can't be lazy about it. The Sinclair method that is. I have to still find other positive things to do during my journey in the "method". I am so happy this site exsists. It is heplful because of the people on it and the writer of it of course!

Hi everyone. I have noticed over the last week or so a definite change in my mood. It just feels really flat and I feel quite disinterested in all areas of my life. It's a sort of listlessness. My husband has remarked I seem to be withdrawn and I can understand that. I have read somewhere that Nal can cause dysphoria (general low mood) and believe this is maybe what I am experiencing. I don't feel really depressed or anxious (been there and can identify it). Has anyone else experienced this? If so, does it pass?

Any advice gratefully received. Thanks. Shasha

PS: I would just to add that I am committed to TSM as my chance to release myself from alcohol addiction. I can definitely live with this for a while as the alternatives are so much less attractive. Also I have read Robert's post regarding this and have checked out the Vaults of Erowid section on Nal (bit odd). My feeling is nothing like as intense as described.

I'd be surprised if these was coming from the Nal, but I'm at a lost as to what would be causing it.

Suggest you post this to Dr. Eskapa's section in this forum. Maybe he'd have some insight.

I also read the Vaults of Erowid posts- and also found them odd. I have only experienced overall well-being and have been generally quite content- just the fact that I am drinking so much less is bound to make me happy, even if Nal may deaden euphoric feelings it CANNOT be as bad as alcohol in making one depressed. Or perhaps it is a combination of the two?

Even if you do experience low mood because of nal, I would imagine that a) It will pass as the other side effects do after a while, and b) That even if you have to continue experiencing low moods for a week or two, it will be worth it in the end because soon you will be having plenty of nal-free days on the days you don't drink, and your mood should subsequently lift?

I agree with Q, might be an idea to ask Dr. Eskapa?