And I thought when two TSMers got together they'd just have tea.

This sucks, sorry to hear this. At least you are doing your best to remain positive. And you know we are all rooting for you. Looks like your specific formula will require a double-dose of patience.

xoxo

Nick

WTE -- If I counted my off-nal weeks due to pain meds I'd be at week 31!!!! Q has said that he suspects taking the opiate pain relievers (not just being off nal) messed up his TSM. But he rebounded and so did I and so will you. I have a feeling you're just around the corner. Maybe Christy being there was a big fat extinction burst and the end will be in sight. Hang on.

Hiya WTE ,
From one who feels himself slipping to another who does I feel a good deal of empathy with your post .
It's my hunch that alc is such a force that regardless of the NAl if we do drink too much and often it snowballs and gathers momentum ( even if the NAL will finally win) . IMHO I think it's good to chip away at the quantity which takes some planning
avoiding certain people or sits etc , just the old, old tricks , but they to do have some effect and when we've a runor slideit's good to get strict .(but hold the frequency for extinction ) It has to be resonable too not brutal as you say the sweats are around ......
Anyway , I've to pull back a bit as it has slipped to daily drinking for a week now ,
some days reasonable others not , I just never should have cut the cigs out cold turkey !!! ( under review ! ), it's hightime I respect my limits !
Hang in there WTE through the bad , hoping for a better week for you .
All the best . Elf .

Hi WTE!

Sounds like you guys had a great time - it's no wonder the wine kept flowing! The party times are fun, but as Elfern mentioned, it seems like a run of daily binges can gain momentum, and then it's hard to slow down. I found this to be true several times this summer with all the vacations and long weekends. It's hard to understand why the drinking can escalate to the point of losing count this far into TSM, but it just happens - at least for me. The times where I start out with a bang, drinking the first units a bit too quickly, I just 'blow past the Nal' if that makes any sense. When I just start with a 3 beer buzz, and take notice of the sleepy/tipsy feeling that hits (from Nal), I remember that I should start to slow down and I'm able to maintain a constant, mild buzz from that point on. I continue to drink, but I never get drunk. But, there are still just certain occasions where I go at it too hard from the start, and the rest is history for that day. I just don't question it anymore, and I keep having moments when drinking doesn't sound so good - not like the old days. I just know it's working, even for us slow poke old-timers.

Don't feel bad. I totally am behind you and the road is never easy. That sucks and I want the best for you. I am going through a crappy stressful time myself lately too. Ever since my dad got sick I have not been the same person. I am struggling more than usual and can't be as cheery as I would usually be. But stay the course. I wish you success.

You seem to be on a rollercoaster.
Sometimes when going up and down, up and down, and round and round you don't know where it is really sky and ground.

I guess we can just wait and hope. What do we have to loose?
There is still enough of time ahead of us to go to AA if needed ...

I do not know right now. I am probably not the best person to motivate you right now.

WTE - I did not have as long of a wait as you are having so you have every right to say to the screen, 'would you just shut up already f!@*ing happy?'

But...21 teeny tiny weeks so far. Maybe 4 or 5 left (give or take)? You can do that. It is so incredibly hard to wait...and to have spikes up and to still deal with the alcohol in your system (with or without hangovers, it drags you way down - you will see). I can't tell you when the switch is going to flip for you, but I can tell you (and I think Q & Bob and others would agree) that once it's flipped: That's it. No going back as long as you take your Nal. I truly believe that because I am not taking any medication most days and my desire to drink in no way resurfaces. Hold onto that instead of which week you are on. It'll be here before you know it, time is just dragging right now...and don't worry about cheering anyone on - for god's sake out of all of us, you have done your share in that department. We need to cheer you on now.

Whitewater rafting and camping as a bday treat? egads, you must be in good shape - even the thought of that makes my body ache. Good for you and enjoy it! And be careful...

Happy Birthday to you WTE - wishing you a wonderful, marvelous, cured new year

Yeah , never mind the cheerleading , we'll all be here and more after your break !
So have a goody it should be extremely refreshing and as for the rest .....well how long ... ? There's more mention of three years now , But I hope by then we'll be well done

I bet you a change-up of your routine and a change of scenery will be great for you. And you've done enough cheerleading here to make it on the Dallas Cowgirls. So, no worries, and have a great birthday, knowing that we all are rooting for you!

Well I posted a long one & then when I sent it, a "can't be delivered" mssg came up...huh?? And it was lost. Ugh - so frustrating

But basically I concur w/ all those before me. I am so glad you have made great plans for your b'day. Lucky you, having CA weather from heaven! Enjoy it and D1...(tent/sleeping bag situation agreeable, I hope?? LOL) :-)

You know I share your frustration with the slow progress on TSM...but I truly believe it will work. In my case, I am looking forward to my doc appt. next week & upping my doseage whether or not he prescribes more or not. As for the extinguishing behaviors we don't want it to (my exercise blahs) - I have recently hit the gym w/ a new fervor just to get thru the wall. It's kindof like exercising and dieting to reduce the thighs & butt only to have it come off your boobs first instead!! LOL

Anyway, you WTE, are an awesome presence on this board and entitled to voice a few frustrations, altho this is barely a whine, IMO. Go forth and conquer the river, don't fall on your sword, blow hard & may your wish come true!! When does the weekend officially start - believe your b'day is Sunday? Hurry back and tell us every detail!! Have a great time - 50something rocks!!

XXXOOO