I am not sure if I mentioned this to you, I am also in the middle of buying a house, buying into my partners former marital home after his lengthy and painful divorce. It's been horrendous and I've had to watch him learn how people can really be(he wouldn't believe me that it wouldn't be a quick, easy process). It's also triggered some stuff from my past which hasn't been good.

I'm awaiting completion and then there's a huge life change going to happen.

I'd like you to know that this is doable without alcohol, I am contending with the food issues but getting there.

It is flipping scary AND very hard to have to be in the real world 24/7, but there can also be a sense of acheivement too.

And UK Blonde it must be the case that the actions we take and decisions we make with less or no AL are better ones, right? Plus the hard stuff we deal with, like working with your partner through his divorce and facing stuff from your past, might actually lead to resolving/healing some of those things rather than just numbing them with AL and then having to deal with them again and again. It may be hard; but WE CAN DO THIS!! Of course it is hard, we know that. But without the Nal, for me anyway it was impossible, at least I have this tool.

Maggie and Cheeto; buying and selling houses plus moving is so stressful; I feel for you. I did it two and a half years ago and swore never again!! But, once it was done I was much happier. Even happier in the (still to me) new house now that my AL consumption is going down and I have on some days more energy to enjoy it.

I too keep pouring the drinks, and drinking them, even though the thrill is gone........why? I'm going to try some AL days if I can without too much anxiety. I've had a few since beginning NAL; they were nonexistent prior. They feel really great.

Keep posting and nal on!! Hugs from Newlife

Hey Maggie,

I stopped drinking cold turkey in August 2013 and had used Nal to do that. It did cut my cravings at first, for sure, and I was so desperate to quit, just such a mess, that my desperation, along with two therapists (one an addictions therapist) and going to meetings at first, got me sober. After the initial shame and desperation wore off, and I had been off Nal for a while, the cravings definitely came back. I had many nights, for the almost 2 years I was sober, where I was desperate for a drink.

When I had a drink in December of this year, I was back to the races. I was absolutely as addicted, if not more, than I had ever been and because I was able to see the contrast in my behaviors so clearly (because I had been sober for so long) I can say, without a doubt, that my brain was absolutely hijacked by alcohol and once I started again, I was totally out of control after the first drink.

This is why I am doing TSM instead of going cold turkey again. I cannot afford the risk of being an addict because as soon as I broke that seal, I had no control over my drinking again and did things like get too drunk at my husband's Christmas Party and at an important work event (black out drunk). It was so crazy and so not who I am that I KNEW that I had to do whatever it took to get rid of that 'thing' that hijacked my brain and made me do such crazy things. TSM is the only answer I know of and so I have gone back to drinking instead of going cold turkey because I think that it will cure me and I won't always be at risk of getting out of control at the worst possible moment (which is when I am most stressed and makes me much more likely to drink).

Hope this helps....

Jephiner

Do you mean you used nal with abstenance the first time?

Jephiner - that was an amazing story to read and shows exactly why we HAVE to do the TSM thing properly - taking it EVERY time before we drink! Good for you in realising that and coming back and doing it properly. When you had the drink in December, I am assuming that you did not take Nal before you had your drinks? I have a friend who is using Nal for abstinence - she says that she doesn't want to drink when taking it - so has not gone through the extinction thing - but she said that she does not want to force herself to drink if she doesn't want to so I understand - but wonder if she starts again down the road if she will be back to square one?

Newlife thanks for the words about buying/selling houses - ours is not selling which makes things even worse - we close on the new one next week but still have this one so are having to get a bridge loan - a worrying time to be sure. But AL does not help - I am still not having an AF days - think about it now and then but then the next thing I know I am popping the Nal and waiting the hour....

UKB - no, you hadn't mentioned that you too were in the process of buying a house - isn't it the pits ? I am so glad that your partner is so supportive of you .... and I will be in the real world 24/7 one day - I know I will!!

I am also going to UK again second week of May - so lots going on as usual - I like things to be the same and never change ! I like routine ! I am hoping that if I am on a plateau that soon I will have a movement !! In the downward direction ! Although I am still under my Pre Nal consumption - not a lot but still down! And often I cannot finish a drink when I have poured it - my head wants to but my body says NO WAY ! So all is good really ..... getting there albeit slowly !

Hugs, Maggie x

Good for you Maggie, especially for your persistent attitude and always having positive words for all of us. The house will sell, just visualize it selling - sounds like new age crap I know but I really do believe it works. Nal on! Newlife

I am lucky but the house buy is part of a lengthy divorce process, so it's definitely been the stressful. Once it's all sorted I pack up my life and go live there. A fresh start and in a house where I have not been alcoholic. I have drank there but very little. I think I once had a glass of wine there, once.

Just keep on naling, it'll come.

Hey Maggie, I think we should give this a try. They are starting to build my Modular Home now too but at least I have until middle of June to sell my place and come up with more money to put down on the new place. I just lowered my price and am having Open House Showings both Saturday & Sunday so crossing my fingers. The crummy thing is that the last 3 places in this complex sold for under market value as there were 2 divorces and they just wanted out and to sell as quick as possible and the last place I consider an absolute dump so maybe I won't even get close to what I am asking for now? Good God the sleepless nights I am having from worrying & menopause (nausea & hot flashes) too!
Hang in there as we have our hurdles right now with AL, Selling and Buying a new place,ughhh.
hugs xoxo
Nal On!

And hugs to all of you!! Newlife

Sounds stressful UK, but it also sounds like a new beginning (which is good, right?)

I hate buying selling and moving with a passion and I really sympathize with you guys....good luck with your new digs!