My hero

Back to work and reality, terrible reports of how badly the Irish economy is doing, really depressing.

As far as TSM goes all finished up well for the remainder of the holls. All told we just had one big night out when all the couples who had met up went out on the Thursday night. Had quite a bit to drink but other than that night I definatly drank less than most of the 'normal' drinkers we were in company with. I didnt drink at all one night and had just one brandy another night. It was a bit funny one night we were on our way home and hubby suggested stoping off at one of the bars along the route, it was quite late and I was tired and said "dont you think you have had enough" he asked me who made me one of the alcohol police?. A bit of a turn up for the books to be sure.

Funny thing was I came home yesterday evening and sat down with my sister chatting and drank 4 glasses of wine. It didnt bother me though as I then got up went shoping with hubby made diner and had no more afterwards.

I was able to get two months supply of nal over the counter in Spain in two different pharmacys. However they both told me it was on prescription only but would give me one months supply but if I wanted more I would have to go to the doc. It was very expensive 79 euro for 28 which is much more expensive than alldaychemist. Im going to the USA in January so Im going to arrange to have a month or twos supply sent to the hotel in Florida as its getting tricky in Ireland with parcels from India. Lots of them are getting stopped by the medical board. At this stage on a normal week Im only taking 2 or at the most 3 tabs so the 56 I got will keep me going for about 6 months.

My biggest problem now is that hubbys is off work for a few months for the quiet season and he is going to drive me demented around the house. I told him this morning that the reason we have worked so well for 20 years is that we dont have to spend a lot of time together lol.

Mario,

Congrats on your terrific progress. You sound almost cured to me. I've actually had a few moments where my husband drank more than me. I felt it was quite an accomplishment. Oh well, only a few times so far so I'm hoping to add to the list. I know what you mean. My hubby has been around all week and I am actually glad he's traveling again tonight. Usually a trigger but I'm hoping to go AF tonight

Thanks for continuing to post. I helps me stay hopeful and on course. BTDT

Very happy for you Mario. I think Hub sounds like you need to put him to work around the house!!

When mine worked at home for a bit, it was a bit trying on the relationship. Something about absence making the heart grow fonder.

Again...so glad things are working well for you. Inspiring.

Hi 4abetterlife,

Problem is he does do a lot about the house, he is a chef and is driving me NUTS in the kitchen rearranging shelves and fridges and presses. The upside is that its lovely to come home in the evenings to the fire lighting and diner cooked. I was making scones this morning and he came out to the kitchen telling me not overwork them, he was lucky he escaped with his limbs still attached. He is also physically attached to the bloody remote control and we have totally different tastes in programs. He loves Science fiction and sport and I watch documentaries and crime stuff.It isnt even so much that I couldnt get interested in what he is watching but he sits on a chanel for a couple of minutes and is off flicking agian all over the place. So for the sake of the longevity of our marraige we are going to get multi room tv tomorrow.

Back to nal, I thought there might be a few cravings this week after drinking differently last week on holls but its fine and I have had no drinks or cravings since we came home. I probally wont drink untill Friday night. Even though I think watching the news in Ireland this past few days its a wonder that the whole country isnt drinking. Its looking this evening like our finances are to be almost completly taken over by outsiders. Its all anybody is talking about and people are really, really angry with our Government and scared for the future. At least hubby and I are in agreement on what we watch tonight as we are just going from news chanel to news chanel.

Great to see so many new faces around here

Off to watch more depressing news lol.

Hey Mario-your post made me think of the relatioship between alcoholism and stress. The USA economy has been in the shitter too (unless you're ultrawealthy in which case you've been steadily posting record increases in income thank you George Bush and no I'm not trying to pick another fight with anyone, see me in the boxing ring if you want to spar about that ). I'd bet a month's salary that the US sees a significant increase in alcoholism as a result. I know it's hard to measure these sorts of things because unless you end up in detox or rehab most who slide across the line from a moderate/heavy drinker to a problem drinker/alcoholic are flying under the radar spending evenings drinking in their corner bar or family room, but with increasing unemployment, depression, stress, and general worry for the future I can't imagine a lot more folks not turning to the bottle as a means of escape. I really hope word about TSM gets out to more people. I know we're all trying to do our part but it's sad to think about how many more people could be helped.

Mario, if there is a silver lining to the tough economic times Ireland faces it's that you won't be drowning your sorrows in alcohol. Your progress has been fantastic. You sound about cured. I think it will be a while before things improve here in the States or on your side of the Atlantic but at least we won't be numbing ourselves at the bottom of a bottle.

Al and nal free since Sunday effortlessly, planning a few glasses of wine tonight though. Im still a firm believer in taking nal at least two hours prior to drinking. This of course may all be in my head but for me at least it completly eleminates any of my former drinking habits like NOT wanting to eat diner after two glasses of wine but rather keep drinking. Even with earlier nal drinking if I took nal on occasion I could drink maybe 6 glasses of wine where as this way the most I will drink is 3 or 4. Im just noting it in case it helps anyone else

mario,
great progress mario! thanks for mentioning this. i am going to try 2 hours, it, can't hurt right?
funny you mentioned not having dinner. that is totally my m.o. i keep my weight down easily when drinking because dinner often gets replaced with light beer. i have noticed recently that i am more often actually fixing real dinners for myself. now, if only dinner would replace a few more of those beers
path

Hi Mario, I too wait sometimes up to 2 or 3 hrs. after nal. before taking drink "1. If I know the evening could involve AL I for sure take na. way in advance. I have had good results with the sm. Don't know if maybe altering some things to accommodate the situations in certain peoples' life is a factor or not. I can't explain it. Perhaps we need to step out of the way. Evaluate what may be coming up concerning al then try to make a choice or have a plan of action ahead of time. Even if it does'nt pan out at least it is worth the effort to find out why we drink. Make sense? Well anyway I for one, have learned a lot about my drinking habits, like why, with whom, & in what situations.
Glad to hear of your success it is great for all the newbies to see!