Curious,

No worries. I appreciate your input and support. It has been a long 7 months AND it has given me the opportunity to experience alcohol differently. It has taught me a lot about drinking and how I use alcohol.

I think my trigger with my husband traveling is as much opportunity (no one to answer to) as it is a stress reducer (takes the edge off) while juggling the kids on my own. This wouldn't be bad if I stopped after two drinks but I rarely do. I've recently hired a sitter to come for an hour or so in the evenings and that helps

Honestly, I'm getting tired of alcohol, the hangovers, the stress and thinking about quitting feels like a relief. Perhaps TSM did work and now I get to reap the rewards. My physical craving has been extinguished enough that my body doesn't crave it like it used to. Now, I just need to change my habits. This is where AA tools and SMART recovery tools can help

I've never been a social drinker so I have little motivation to moderate. In a social setting, I'm just as happy to drink soda with lime.

Thank you again for your support and ideas!! BTDT

Ahh, the old "when the cat's away, the mouse will play" scenario... oh boy! do I know that one! A question I had to ask myself was: why do I feel so accountable to my husband, that I try not to drink when he's around, but not feel that accountability to myself and my children ?

Btdt - Your post regarding quitting drinking and signing off of the forum was heart wrenching. I support you 100% in what you want and need to do. Bingeing like you describe would be more than disheartening and it sounds just plain awful. Like you said, perhaps TSM has given you at least some relief from this addiction and now AF won't be white knuckling it. At least it sounds like that is what you are feeling these days. I am so sorry that you are having to go through this, but you have our support and blessings in your choice. TSM doesn't work for everyone as many before me have said. You are a wise woman to recognize that for you it may not be working and you may need to try something else. Still, you've only been at it for 7 months so if you decide to continue for a bit longer to be sure it isn't working that too may be an option. In any case, I wish you the very best. You have been a great addition to this board.

Hi all,

Thank you everyone for your terrific support during my rough patch... I really do appreciate it!!!

I haven't been successful at complete abstinence BUT my AF days have been so much easier than I expected!! Yeah!!

I've been taking several AF days in a row easily, then the craving comes back and I pop a nal and go with it for 1-2 days. Then I take several more AF days without any trouble. This had lead me to believe that TSM is working, at some level...

However, I still don't seem to be able to hit the off switch when I do drink. I'd love to be able to set a specific number of drinks and stick to it. The hangovers are no fun. This would be the final obstacle to feeling like I have control. At 32 weeks, I do feel like I'm on the verge. Does anyone have any suggestions about how I can achieve this final step? I sure would appreciate any thoughts

Here is my most recent graph:



Thanks again!! BTDT

Nice job BTDT!

I know what you mean about the off switch. Even after AF days became easy for me, I found that when I did drink, it was still hard to stop. I'm not sure what kind of alcohol you drink but it helped me to switch from hard liquor to beer. Though the problem with that is that I sometimes found beer too frustratingly filling and slow to work when I had a major craving and I would sneak back to hard liquor.

Honestly for me and the off switch, it just took more time on TSM. I'm actually able to hit the off switch now most off the time, but I feel that occasionally it is still a struggle. But I think it will continue to get easier as long as I continue TSM. I think it should for you too.

At week 32 I was in a similar place: reduced numbers and increased control, but no "off switch" often described by others. I agree with everything Tambo says -- it will probably just take more time. Now when you go AF you are dealing with a new trigger: the deprivation effect of not drinking. After you drink through it for a while, the cravings should be reduced. Also, you should be thinking 6 months to a year or so to regaining control as the 3-4 month period for "the cure" highlighted in the book simply doesn't apply to the majority of long-term problem drinkers. Try moving away from drinking things you like to things you don't like, like beer. Beer is more filling and should help get your numbers down. And don't forget the formula: drinking + naltrexone + patience = regaining control.

My best,

Nick

Thank you, Tambo and Nick!!

I really does help to hear that you both went through the journey in a similar way and eventually developed a working "off switch" (at least most of the time). I definitely feel the Alcohol Deprivation Effect at work because when I do finally drink, I'm ready to go a bit crazy. It's good to hear that this will subside after a while. I'm really ready to be hangover-free.

I exclusively drink white wine. I used to drink Vodka and red wine too but since starting TSM, I had one vodka drink and it made me queasy. I've also lost the taste for red wine and beer.

BUT, you both make a very good point about drinking something more filling with less alcohol. About a month ago, I mixed my white wine with Sprite (1/3 wine to 2/3 Sprite) and I did drink less!! After a few days though I got frustrated and went back to chugging wine and my numbers went back up again. Perhaps I'm ready for it and I just wasn't ready back then. If that doesn't help, perhaps I'll switch to beer. I actually don't mind the light and watery tasting beers Plus they have a fairly low alcohol content.

Thanks for the advice. I will keep you posted... BTDT

At week 32 it's time to apply some effort. I strongly recommend you switch to light beer only. I know you don't like it as much as wine but that's what I mean by "effort"! I see good things on your horizon if you can do it! Hangovers on light beer are almost non-existent, unless you drink a ton.

My best,

Nick

Thank you Nick!! I respect your opinion and experience here on the board. If you strongly recommend it, I'm game. I'm planning to take the next several days off but when I do drink, I will have my nal, wait an hour and try light beer instead of wine!! Thank you to both you and Tambo for the advice. I'm ready to be done with hangovers!! BTDT

Good luck with the hangovers! For me, wine gives me them fairly easily; light beer, not at all. I can drink a lot of light beer and not be hungover. I hope this applies to you too!