Hello Guapo,

I am very interested in how you went from drinking too much to seemingly taking it or leaving it. I don't want to drink because of the buzz, and I warned myself that if I started TSM I would likely drink very very little as the balance of blocky happy receptors vs drinking should mean AF days always win.

I can see why 12 step program forced abstinence doesn't work as you are always imagining your missing out, and so I lose nothing by reminding myself that alcohol is a poison etc etc.

Here is the thing I have 2 perfect outcomes but they cant both be correct or suitable for me

1/ drink very occasionally, realising that its always a balance between losing a day of happy hormones and having a drink
or
2/ stop all together

the thing is for 1/ to work you have to actually think drinking is ok especially in small amounts, that goes right against /2

if drinking isn't really worth it why bother?

you know at the moment my biggest things stopping me from totally giving up are... 1/ I own a vineyard and its nice to drink the produce, 2/ I spend a lot of time with mates walking and socialising and drinking is a big part of that, 3/ I cant quite get my head around the idea that I don't enjoy drinking and I am not going for the will power method.

Nigel:

I can see from reading your thread that TSM has had an effect on you.

Owning a vineyard, so cool and romantic, yet really tough for this purpose!! I can really relate to what you are saying about being all or nothing, I think a lot of successful people are like that. Maybe in just this one area you could try a way around the all or nothing thinking, though. It appears that AF days are not a problem for you to obtain, they are still such a struggle for me. Maybe just build on that while still giving yourself permission to enjoy the produce as you say, have fun with your friends, etc.

Just some random thoughts from a newbie....take or leave of course. It's interesting that even though we all have common threads the experience is so unique to each one of us.

Anyway thanks for keeping posting. Newlife

Hmmmm. I can see the dilemma of being surrounded by and whispered to by good wine all the time.

The best outcome with TSM is to not WANT to drink.,(Re-read this line 100 times)

Because:

1. It removes the good "high", and replaces it with sleepiness, etc.

2. Since that's what drinking results in, the learned and expected "reward" is gone. Why drink if you'll feel nothing or feel sleepy, etc.

3. That outcome will prevent overdrinking, and in general, prevent drinking in the first place

4. Life now sucks because you cannot de-stress and enjoy a night of wine-drinking and liquid escape.

Counterview:

1. If that high is so great, why is it so elusive, and so easy to drink right past it (dis-inhibition). Very few if any posters here can position themselves into that sweet spot accurately, or else they wouldn't be here.

2. The bulk of the human race drinks rarely, and not to get drunk. It has failed all of us here as a stress reliever, so why use it as that ? The bad consequences are way more stressful than any release.

3. It is a stunning surprise to discover overdrinking is nightmarish, and meaningless. Not drinking on any given day is discovered to be A-OK, because it won't matter, as you find you'll feel better not "intoxicated" by alcohol.

4. Life is fine, actually better because you aren't destroying it by drinking. There is no reason you can't have some wine, or a drink sometimes. (It still tastes good and has it's place with meals or ballgames, or whatever.) That is preferable to ruminating endlessly about the next drink or drinking session. Since you don't crave or "want" alcohol at this point, you are free of it's prison.

Take note of folks at a gathering, many drink very little if at all. Do those drinking "lots", look attractive and in a good place?

When I started this process, the "want" and "need" to drink was what defined my whole life. Not now. There are much better ways to live life, but on your own terms. It required a change in mindset, and it can be done.

ps...... I disagree that the "happy" receptors are blocked by NAL.

so the rollercoaster continues! mostly I am having a battle in my head, Guapo you talk a lot of sense BUT I just cant get to that place yet. My drinking has been worse over last two weeks, I had planned on a longer af session but failed on the second day! I had finished the Allen Carr book, listened to tapes to stop dinking but caved in quickly to the idea of a night with a bottle of wine, followed by several visits from friends which involved more drinking.

In my heart of hearts I know two things, firstly that alcohol is bad and secondly that I am unable to control it like many people can.

I have no idea where I will get to, but I have decided to carry on with TSM for a whole year to try to give myself the ability to have a very occasional drink, pass that I guess it would be totally giving up but I cant imagine being able to do that at the moment (that's not because I am scared of trying or worried about not drinking... I just know what I am like at managing to stick with not drinking)

I do actually agree with some of the posts here about the emotion blocking, I don't feel much different on or off Nal, this was a stumbling block for me as I would drink heavily thinking well I've ruined tomorrow so may as well drink!


Pre TSM 30-45 un/wk 1af/wk us units
0 43/0 6 39/0 12 46/0 18 32/2 24 36/2
1 40/0 7 37/0 13 34/1 19 26/2 25 33/2
2 29/2 8 34/0 14 35/0 20 32/2
3 44/1 9 39/0 15 31/2 21 31/2
4 35/2 10 25/3 16 25/2 22 43/0
5 31/3 11 42/0 17 40/0 23 30/2

So how does that thought become "I want to feel good tomorrow so I do not want to drink"?

hello UKblonde, I guess it becomes that when I believe drinking has nothing positive to it. I already think 'I want to feel good tomorrow so I do not want to drink' but the short term enjoyment/thinking I enjoy it is still there.

If I am honest I am still enjoying drinking, no buzz as such but I like the social side of it, the taste and the relaxation it gives. I know this is different to the Allen Carr ideals but I am a very go go go type of person and to stop and drink calms me, again I know this needs to be rewired in me.

We all know that we drink too much (or drank) that's why we are here, I know my reasons for drinking be it habit/taste/social/relaxation are all small compared to the benefit of not drinking.

Hello,

its been a while since I posted, had to find my thread on page 2!!

No dramatic changes, in fact on the face of it really not good, in the last month, I have had only 2 af days last week, and 2 of my biggest weeks since I have started...BUT there is a reason.

I went away for a couple of weeks walking in spain, it was lovely and I went with two people that like to drink, one of them to really huge amounts, I stuck to the rule and had Nal every day and in fact drunk way way less than I normally would have, three times my mates went off for an after dinner drink and I didn't feel like it, they drank every lunch and I didn't, the year before when we went away I came back feeling fatter and hungover, I didn't have that this time, yes I seriously overdrank but not as bad.

so I am now over 6 months on the course, my drinking has changed but not in any HUGE way. I have reordered a load more Nal and will give it a year, however I am also going to be making some af days too as a more regular thing.

I keep thinking how I was drawn to the Sinclair method as it seemed a dream come true... as easy as just taking a pill and all else will happen with no effort, I have now watched these forums for 6 months and it really doesn't seem to be like that, the successful people actually have to do something for themselves.


Pre TSM 30-45 un/wk 1af/wk us units
0 43/0 6 39/0 12 46/0 18 32/2 24 36/2
1 40/0 7 37/0 13 34/1 19 26/2 25 33/2
2 29/2 8 34/0 14 35/0 20 32/2 26 43/0
3 44/1 9 39/0 15 31/2 21 31/2 27 49/0
4 35/2 10 25/3 16 25/2 22 43/0 28 49/0
5 31/3 11 42/0 17 40/0 23 30/2 29 29/2

Absolutely, sorry for sounding like a stuck record but the pill won't stop you from taking the next drink. To do that you may need to make a commitment to yourself.

One thing I noticed was that I changed and my friends changed - I got rid of the very scary drinkers, and others learned that I wasn't interested in al focused events. I made a point of meeting for coffee in coffee shops, my choice and generally accepted.

The great thing is that you have seen that it's not impossible to make a reduction.

It's good to hear from you Nigel and that sounds like a wonderful trip. Did you walk the Camino?

I'm not as far in as you but I can understand your conclusion and have sort of drawn the same one myself. The nal is only a part of the answer for a good many of us. Yet at least it gives us a tool and a push in the right direction.

I've been really missing the alcohol buzz/high that I used to get pre-nal. But I won't go back. I have also seen a reduction and sort of seen what might be the light of the end of the tunnel for me and I'm not going to give that up. I've probably had enough AL buzzes/highs for this lifetime anyway.

Take care of yourself Nigel. Hugs from Newlife

Keep in mind that taking an opiate blocker daily will likely blunt the genuine pleasure to be had in many aspects of life, including alcohol.

Since you're wanting to get away from drinking every day,that means using the opiate blocker infrequently,which would lead to a better state of mind

Getting away from drinking every day will do the same thing, so in both respects it's a win -win situation.

Yes, did you walk the El Camino, and did you see Emelio Estevez?