Yeah, funny how that works...I think it's the habit thing, wanting the same old, same old, even though the former big payoff is not there (or is at least diminished).

What a great report! Seems to me that people that are able to make a plan of what they'd like to happen - set goals - seem to do well w/ TSM. Nal is a tremendous help, but we still have to run our own lives

I wanted to come in an update on what has been happening, because it's been great!

I decided to do a cleanse in January which meant (among other things) no booze for three weeks. I was kind of nervous about doing it, but I'm so glad I did. Right after the cleanse was over I had plans to go out with a few friends and fully intended to eat and drink. I took my nal an hour before meeting everyone, but quickly started to feel incredibly sick. I thought it might be the nal, but as time I went on I realized it was more than just that. I went home early without drinking anything and was pretty much sick all week with a horrible stomach virus. This added an extra week onto my no boozing. I felt better Friday and went to a friend's place overnight. Normally that would mean drinking, but I had one beer before dinner and then stopped right there. I just didn't want anymore. The next night I had a do-over night with my friend who I had to bail on the week prior. We ended up drinking two bottles of wine together, but I know I was slower than she was. I felt horrible the next day and missed the way I'd been feeling for the past month in the mornings. Out of habit that Monday (because I was alone) I got a bottle of wine for myself (but bought something that was only 9% alcohol). I drank three glasses and just felt nothing. I dumped out the last full glass and switched to water. Success!

Since then I just don't feel like drinking and I haven't really. That's 10 days of no drinking without a second thought. Saturday night I went to a friend's house for dinner and drank two glasses of wine, switching to water at dinner.

I have done self-imposed no drinking days before but this feels so different. I just don't want it and don't care about it. I pass the liquor store and have zero desire to slip in, there is no need to convince myself not to drink today. I have plans to go out with friends Friday and right now I just want to see them and have a nice dinner. The thought of drinking booze with them actually make me feel nauseous.

I have been on and off the nal for a while now, not really giving it the full chance it desires. I swore this time would be different and it is. I have been waiting to feel like this (apathy!) since I began. I really do believe the forced abstinence helped solidify it for me.

I'm feeling amazing, and wanted to come in here to encourage anyone in case they read this. There were a few false starts for me - I've been on this journey for a few years now and have slipped in and out of using Nal. I never got to the point when I was using it that I truly felt apathetic about drinking though, it was always a maintenance issue that I was aware of. Currently everything has changed. Since my self-imposed cleanse back in January it's just gotten easier and easier not to drink. I remember reading from a few other people here that you need to take that leap and just not drink for a while, and see what happens. When I was able to drink again after my cleanse I only did it a few times to excess, and then I just stopped caring. What an amazing feeling! In the past month I've had a total of 25 UK units - that wouldn't have even covered a week before Nal. I easily go weeks without drinking, and then when I do I can stop at only one. I stopped by a friend's house a few weeks ago and she offered me a glass of wine - I took it without Nal and worried, because previously that would have triggered a stop by the liquor store on the way home, but that night as I got into bed it occured to me that I hadn't even thought of drinking more. I just had that one and forgot about it.

It is so nice to be free of that monkey on my back - that feeling of needing control and not having it. I resist calling myself cured, but I definitely feel like alcohol's pull no longer has a hold on me. Keep at it folks! This stuff defintely works.

Another great story. Thanks Art.

Thanks so much for the inspiring updates, agogo. I feel like I am exactly where you were before your cleanse. I don't drink at all on weekdays anymore, and I don't miss it. On weekends, I am waaay more in control than the old days, but I am not where I want to be yet. I still overdo it. I just can't yet seem to AF through the weekend, partly because all my friends are drunks. I will try to draw inspiration from you though. I'd love to make that last push into apathy. Cheers!

Great updates!