Another AF day today, so I thought I'd jump the gun and post my 1 year anniversary graph by quarter:



Pre-TSM, I was drinking 6 to 8 units per night.
For the entire treatment through one year, I consumed 753 units total.
This past week I consumed 2½ units, I didn't feel like finishing the 3rd beer.

What a difference a year can make. And what a ride! Most times, I felt like it wasn't going to work. Some times, I felt like giving up and trying another treatment. But I stuck with it and look where I am now. I have been transformed into a better person through the success of TSM.

I hope and wish all of you the same success!

Bob

Wow - so happy for you, as I have been all along. Pretty amazing how well it works for most -

Hi Bob, so very happy for you. I have given up on tsm as there wasn't any success at all for me. I do check in here occasionally just to see how the old gang is doing. Some really are close to my heart. Lot's have left that started when I did so it's a bit different. You and I struggled together, wish I had the miracle too. I am doing much better, but it's the white knuckle approach, lol, still not at a good level. What a life changing experience for you again my very best, happy anniversery!

houtx & laBear:

Every time I continue to post my progress, I initially hesitate because I silently feel bad that for some good folks it doesn't work. I wish TSM had a 100% success rate but unfortunately it's not perfect.

I continue to post and display these graphs to give hope to those who feel like it's not working, but have not had enough time in the TSM treatment. You just can't tell when it will happen. During my week 17/18, I thought it doesn't work, but it suddenly did. I just want people to continue through their times of doubt and let it work if it is going to work.

Bob

Yes, what a difference a year can make! Congratulations, not only is this making your life better, just think of the inspiration you are providing to others.

LaBear

I'm sorry to hear you feel that TSM wasn't working for you. I'm curious though when I look at your signature - your drinking levels seem to be significantly down on what they were. Is that not progress? Maybe you just need more time?

I remember when I started TSM 9 months ago, I was thinking 3 months to a cure (as per the book) and was pretty down when after a honeymoon period, short spike and then downward trend, I started trending back up - consistently, over a 6 week period or so - this would have been around the 4 month mark - at which stage I'd been hoping to be cured

I stuck with it though, and started making short term, achievable goals - trying to utilise some willpower for positive reinforcement.

Now, 9 months or so into the method, I'm having 4 AF days per week, and I'm at 40% or so of what I used to drink, with the overall trend heading in the right direction. If the current (i.e. start to now) trends continue, I should be at the 15 units or less per week target level in maybe 3 months. That is one year on from averaging 15 units per NIGHT!

Its not all plain sailing, even know - often I'll have short term cravings to have a drink, but I increasingly find I can work through them without undue difficulty. That last aspect has been really helpful for me - I have a mental threshold that I recognise now, and I take a nal if I reach that. I know I can last the 1 hour from there if I have to, and more often than not I'm able to last longer - to the extent of not drinking that night at all. I keep a supply of activities/little jobs I can switch to, ready for me to busy myself with if I need distraction. I've found it a real help. It is using willpower, but not to the extent of white-knuckling - I know I have my 'out' if I really need it. I just work on trying to make sure that it really is mainly craving and not habit, and increasingly I'm finding that I can cope (i.e. it is becoming more about alternative habits).

Hi One, thanks so much for the positive post. I do believe that tsm has helped a lot of people either be cured or cut down but not me, unfortunately. All the low numbers were due to really forcing myself to abstain. I haven't been on nal. since before Christmas and those numbers are from way back then. I am doing much better than I was, and part of that was as you have said more habit than craving, I think, at times I have difficulty knowing what's what, lol. Recently I have really cut back to drinking only on weekends for the most part and much less than before mainly because I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I am still considering Baclofen, but also a bit afraid of it and know that it would be a lifetime medication. I do have a close friend who used to be on here who is planning on trying it very shortly. I trust her judgement and will wait to see how she feels on it since tsm and the other methods at MWO did not work for her either. All the luck in the world to you all. Bob, if you read this thanks for letting me steal your thread. I have followed your progress and am actually notified when you post on your progress, that's how interested I have been. You hold a special place here for many! Thanks again.

Thanks, Firebird. I needed that. I'm celebrating my one year TSM anniversary with an AF day, watching House MD, then I'll read something and go to sleep. What a party!

Bob

Awwww - yes, wish it were perfect for all of us. LaBear/1-4, you know you have my heart & I am with you both. Thx, Bob, for being the ever gracious person you are. We are a dear group here - and I hold out hope at some point we will all find relief in whatever way. We will celebrate here or hold a big convention...who knows...whatever. This site has been a huge source of comfort and strength for so many, for so long, and on so many levels.

Cheers - and thx again, Bob, for being the steady source of strength, humor and inspiration you have been for so many of us along the way.

Luv ya -

I was working on my TSM spreadsheet today and noticed this area of the spreadsheet that I found interesting. Generally, I show graphs, but look at the increasing percentage of AF days per Quarter:



Note that Quarter "0" is the period prior to beginning TSM when I used to drink daily every day of the week (no AF days).

Bob

EDIT: Corrected AF days for Quarter 1 (Months 1 through 3)