Keeping you all abreast of my current 17th week situation-- I am glad to report that while I spiked in units last week, this week I am on a downward cycle. I am at a modest 32 units at this weeks end.

How 'bout it?????? I consumed 5 units last night and I'm on my 6th right now! That's more like it!! For those of you who may or may not know. Or care. Or tally. Or count... man oh man... I would polish off an ENTIRE 1.5 Litre bottle of Pinot Grigio EVERY SINGLY NIGHT if it were but 4 modest months ago. Seriously!!! What F$%king PROGRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Today I performed and then acted as an official "timer" at the Alaskan State Ironjack Competition. Derek Knutson won, for those of you who care. You'll see him on ESPN in the next month or so....

This is kind of neat, Fat Stan's Bar provided the wine and beer and after the event I wanted a glass of something alcoholic.... I was given a glass of perfumey Chardonnay and I drank all of three sips of it and promptly poured onto the ground. Yucky-doo. It tasted like a cow-manure patty of bulls&*t. Grody!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I proceeded to the Fish Pirate's Saloon and had a 3 1/2 units of Alaskan White draft beer.

I am home and am into my third unit here. So be it.

I've gotta go to bed, though. I have majorly BIG shows tomorrow and then a party to attend tomorrow night....

Keep it together Ketch.... Keep it together...

I am sworn to but I will happily log on my very notable progress here.

F&*k an A right,

Ketchikan1

Rock on, NAL on, keep on, keepin' it on!

great news and great progress! very happy for you!


--pepper

Great news!

That's my girl - well done!

Keep up the fight - remember your goal *No Blackouts*

really rooting for you,

Andy

Hi Ketch

Good for you buddy!

Yes, slowly but surely this is working for me. And like Nick has said, it takes a lot longer for us older guys and gals to regain control than you younger ones. You are doing great! I was down under the 20 unit mark this week for the first time since God knows when. We will all get there in the end, some sooner than others. (You young ones...) Good luck with the dates. In some ways I am envious, but it is not an easy time of your life. The scary thing, as my mum always said, is that time goes so much faster the older you get. I just can't believe where the weeks go these days.

Try to make the most of being young and single.

Cheers
Sticky

Today marks the beginning of my 19th week and I'm chugging right along. I am having an AF day today. I am tired anyway and have more shows tomorrow.

I've changed things up a bit and because I am so busy lately, I have denounced all wine. It is forbidden because the hangover just ain't worth it. What I notice is that when I am hungover it lingers a lot longer and it's more extreme... I just can't shake it off or drink enough water to soften it's severity.

Does anyone else feel the same way? My hangovers were a lot less nasty Pre-TSM...

Anyway, I am just checking in. Nothing new to report except I planned a lovely vacation starting October 20th-November 11th. Sarasota, FL to see the family and then I'm hopping on a cruise ship for a week out of Tampa.

The goal is to simply F-L-O-P. Cannot wait.

By then I will be nearing and coming to the coveted 33rd week on TSM. I have very high hopes that it will be around this time that I regain control!

As always, I will keep you posted.

Hope everybody's doing fabulously!

Warm regards,

Ketchikan1

Hey Ketch, you might be an average TSMer and find control around 28 weeks and save a ton in booze on your cruise. The nal hangovers are puzzling. My hypothesis is that since nal is blocking your body's endorphins, you are not getting the natural pain relief that these natural opiates provide. The nal hangover certainly does provide some extra incentive not to overdo it. I'm rooting for you. Nal-on!

You know what, St. V-- you are probably right on target regarding your theory about hangovers being so horrific... because the warm and fuzzy endorphins are being blocked. Makes a lot of sense to me!

I also found your thread with the Cured List's timelines very helpful!!!!! It's quite an array of time frames. I love that you and Katie put so much effort there. The numbers posted definitely encourage me to persevere!

Thanks for your tireless efforts! I agree with Nick. If we could gather the age and the amount that TSM'er drank before starting this treatment vs. during their treatment until finally seizing control, this would also be very helpful data.

Good stuff! I hope you are right about my timeline. I'd love to regain control sooner than I expect to. But no matter what-- I will surely get there!

Here's a question for those of you who have regained control: Is it a sudden "coming to" type of control or is it a slow epiphany-type realization??? Do you guys recognize a particular moment where you have reset brain to your pre-alcoholic drinking? Just curious as to what to expect in the weeks ahead. No matter what I am....

Bound and determined,

Ketchikan1

Hey Ketch-

I'm new to the board. I read your progress thread and I just wanted to say hi and thanks for sharing. I hope things go well with the new ventures at work and the upcoming vacay!

Best,
Phil

There are many TSMers who have reported the feeling of "turning the corner" after months of evidence of episodic success and failure. "Turning the corner" = growing ease of AF and/or reduction in units per session. Others, like myself, had an immediate reduction (70% reduction) in units with brief/infrequent spikes. My latest assessment is that even after declaring myself ("cured") months ago now, I have longer and longer periods of abstinence with ease/no craving. So celebrate the minor victories/changes and don't get too down on yourself for the backsliding. Backsliding is fertile ground for an extinction session. Remember the golden rule and Nal on!