Hi Folks,

I have decided to change my alcohol reduction goal. Instead of aiming to reduce my intake by 4 UK units per week, this will change, as follows...

My current consumption is 14 UK units +/- 2 UK units per day. And, what I have realized is that I need to set a daily goal rather than a weekly goal. So, my revised goals are:

Week 33 13 UK units +/- 2 UK units per day
Week 34 12 UK units +/- 2 UK units per day
Week 35 11 UK units +/- 2 UK units per day
Week 36 10 UK units +/- 2 UK units per day
Week 37 09 UK units +/- 2 UK units per day
Week 38 08 UK units +/- 2 UK units per day
Week 39 07 UK units +/- 2 UK units per day
Week 40 06 UK units +/- 2 UK units per day

And, that takes me to the end of the year - at which point, I will review my progress against the above goals. A word of note - I fully realize that I have effectively increased my goal from 4 UK units per week to 7 UK units per week based on my daily average consumption. But, that's the key - my current daily consumption varies between 12 UK units and 16 UK units. In practical terms, this means that I need to reduce my alcohol intake by just half a glass of wine or half a can of beer per day as each week rolls by. Sounds doable.

V.

I think that's a wise approach. I wish you considerable success on your new plan. It seems very sensible to me.

I hate to use loaded terminology from That Method, but there is something to be said for One Day at at Time, albeit to a different plan.

I alluded to this in some previous post when it occurred to me that there might be a slight difference between 'willpower' and 'effort' - and that I needed to apply some effort. For me it was just saying each night, "Well, how about I call it done for the night?" and seeing if I could make it stick. In the old days, no way I could make it stick. Gradually it's become easier to make it stick. At first this taught me to dawdle so long on each drink that it took me to bedtime to finish my "daily goal." Lately I still dawdle to drag it out, but I am more able to finish earlier and hold the line until bedtime.

Because these still represent extinction events (daily drinking), I don't believe a little conscious effort against the craving counts as running counter to the mantra of drink as you always drink. In the early days, I suspect I interpreted the mantra as "drink as much as you want" - or even, "drink as much as you can." Now I interpret it as, "If you must drink, go ahead and have one." But I no longer treat that decision as, "Well, in for a dime, in for a dollar - knock yourself out!" (Er, "In for a penny, in for a pound.") The miracle for me is that stopping eventually is now an option. It had not been for many years. I hope you experience the same miracle.

Hi WTE and PV,

Many thanks for your much-valued feedback.

And, all the very best to you both!

V.

Hi V,

I'm very interested in your plan. You're single-minded and have already reduced/come off the benzos and the Seroxat, so I have no doubt you'll succeed Out of interest, having been looking at the Ashton taper for benzos, I wonder if you are prepared for and willing to accept plateaus, or are you going to stick to your plan no matter what?

Btw, I tried to buy some Thiamine the other day from the pharmacist, and he gave me Vitamin B6, which I didn't realise till I got home is NOT Thiamine. Oh well, reading up on B6 it seems something else us drinkers need more of, so at least I have something useful for my money

All the best to you,

8

Hi 8,

Perhaps my brain isn't working (yet again) but I don't quite follow your train of thought. I can't see the connection between the Ashton taper and my alcohol reduction plan/goals. I'm sure the problem lies with me but perhaps you'd be kind enough to clarify.

In good ol' Monty Python style...my brain hurts!

Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

V.

Hi Folks,

Willpower works! I have just completed Week 32 on TSM; last week, my alcohol intake was one of the lowest that I have ever recorded since starting TSM - just 88 UK units. This may not look like much of a reduction to some people but, to me, it is very significant. Baby steps. What I need to do is ensure that this trend continues and, boy, am I determined to make that happen! I am finding truth in that old adage - where there's a will, there's a way. It really isn't difficult - once you set your mind to it.

After much hassle with my latest liver function test (LFT) results, I have finally got my little mitts on them - just over two weeks after having the blood test. It's supposed to take a maximum of one week. Why the delay? Well, it transpires that the test laboratory could not read the writing of the psychiatrist that I saw (remember him?). Consequently, they were not able to decipher the address to which the results were to be sent! So, they sent them to a local hospital, which provides an outpatient phlebotomy service. An intelligent guess on their behalf. You couldn't make up stories like this, could you? Anyway, for the third time in a row, my LFT results are fine. Yippee! I am particularly pleased as this is the first LFT that I've had since upping my naltrexone dose to 100 mg (one hour before drinking).

Now that I have the LFT results back, I can start on some of the supplements. So, I shall be placing my first order either today or tomorrow. I am using Patrick Holford's book How to Quit... as guidance.

I think I've covered everything.

V.

Virgil,

That is awesome news!! Did you feel like the ability to use willpower was easier than prior to TSM? Did it feel like white-knuckling it or just making a decision to drink less?

I am so happy to see you reporting progress and good luck this week.

Virginia

Virgil you sound so happy it puts a smile on my face. A little tsm, less habit, a little willpower put it all together and it sure sounds like a cure coming.

Hi V,

If I understand the Ashton taper for benzos correctly, it's quite acceptable when reducing to have plateaus where you feel that you can't move forward to the next step down quite yet. I believe the idea is that the most important thing is not to move back up and the ideal to stay at that plateau until you feel able to take that next step down. I'd had similar advice from alcohol counsellors in the past, so I was wondering if you anticipated such times and were prepared to adjust if needed, as your timescale is very structured? I hope that makes more sense! By the way, I ask just out of my own interest.

I'd also be interested to know where you choose to get your supplements from. I'm relying on Holland Barrett at the moment (big savings at the moment, I'm heading up there soon!) I have been sober enough to resume my bedtime reading of Holford's book but haven't yet reached the sections on quality of supplements, which is very important I think.

Great to hear about your LFT I'm terrified of mine and keep putting it off - my GP thinks I'm abstinent, I'm worried the game will be up!

All the best, keep up the great work!

8

Hi 8,

I guess what you're saying is that what can apply to the benzo taper can also apply to my alcohol taper. If that's the case, then the answer is - yes - I am prepared to adjust, if needed.

I quite like the looks of http://www.revital.co.uk/. They have a very wide selection of supplements (including those from Holford's company). I have found that H & B do not have some of the supplements that I need but I hear your point about the bargains at the moment.

Cheers!

V.