End of Week 25. 18 US Units/2AF. The best part is 2 AF, those days feel really good. I was doing OK but then over the weekend two days in a row I just overdid it. There is no excuse, I just kept pouring those drinks. Old habits die very hard. I hated the way I felt both nights trying to sleep and both next days. On the other hand when I woke up two morning after no alcohol, I felt fabulous. So what is wrong with this picture?

I have been 100% compliant, though, no problems there. Just have to apply a little more self discipline. I am hoping that will get easier now that summer vacations are over, my kids are back in school starting today, I want to ramp up my exercise etc. etc.

Nal on everyone and here's to a good week! Hugs from Newlife

Newlife - not sure what is going on with my computer - I posted a reply but it wouldn't take then it said page cannot be reached so I lost it ! SO trying to rewrite it .... I could have written your post - I feel exactly the same - like you I have followed the GR but still seem to be struggling. Is it us? What are we doing wrong ? I am at least having AF days like you and yes, feel so much better when I do - I drank yesterday and it was day 6 - sweated my way through the night and woke up still sweating and with a runny tummy. I am AF today and also tomorrow as I promised a fellow poster that I would do an AF day with her this week and we decided on tomorrow. I know that you and I will eventually get there but it does seem slow going - I want to have that feeling that I had a few weeks ago when I truly did NOT want to drink - THAT to me is what Nal is all about and that is what I am aiming for. NOT to white-knuckle trying not to drink! Hoping my computer will let me get to TSM page again ....

MANY hugs to you, Maggie XX

and many hugs back at you Maggie. We will get there!! Newlife

my week's a little slippery too. we'll get there. keep fighting you two! zontar

YES we will get there Zontar - as Churchill said 'Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.' I so agree !! At the moment anyway!! Sometimes my enthusiasm does tend to wane a tad ....... LOL

Hugs, Maggie x

Zontar, Maggie, thanks for your support. Sorry to see your numbers up too Zontar. Nal on!! xoxo Newlife

Oh, I love this quote! After 12 weeks I still feel the same when I drink and except for the brief honeymoon phase, my desire to drink is still the same. Some of the posts here have been so helpful to me, though, with people sharing tips that have helped them. Without knowing that others have struggled and won, or are struggling but committed, I am not sure I would be carrying on.

I know exactly what you mean Deena ! One lady here posted after TWO years that it finally clicked for her - in the meantime she had just carried on taking the Nal an hour before she drank every time - thinking it was never going to work then one day she woke up and poof - the desire to drink was GONE! So, I hold on to that - eventually it will work !!

Hugs, Maggie x

Newlife,

I think your units and af days are great! And I am with you with the habit thing. Every time I pour a drink I ask myself is the taste worth it (something I remember you saying about how the wine didn't taste that good but you poured another glass, that's me). Between the habits and that voice of my booze brain (I am beginning to think I have multiple personality disorder) it is a hard road.

I have been afraid to do a af day (besides the headaches I have been having), for I have only had af days after a nal. over, and after I do have them I over drink, which causes another al. over. But like Maggie says I believe in the process and af days are part of the process. I found that tracking my numbers, and not my days, helps me forget how long I have been doing this. It's funny, for the only time I think about the time I have spent is when someone says how long they have been doing this. To me it is not about the time, for I spent too many nights drinking mindlessly, it is about the desire and the amount I drink. I really don't care about how long it takes (I might be speaking prematurely for I have not been doing it as long) for I am no longer drinking like I use to. Last night I only had 8 ounces of wine and I went to bed. I would have never been able to do that in my entire life. I have always been a all or none kind of girl. If I can keep my level of drinking to where it is now for the rest of my life I would be a happy camper. Do I want the desire gone, yes, but I can deal with drinking a glass or two instead of a bottle or more.

You have made so much progress, so please look at today and only today for that is the only day that really counts,

Jaba

Wow, two years....I hope that is not me, but if it is, it is. Given how many years alcohol has been a part of my life, and given how long it has affected my life negatively, it is a drop in the bucket.