Started TSM on 6/25 with the hope of being cured around thanksgiving. Seemed to be doing ok...units were down(i usually drink 8-12 beers 4 days a week with 3 built in AF days). I was hovering around the 6-8 mark...while not great was definately better. However over the last 3 weeks I seem to be back at pre-TSM levels. Not sure how or why this is happening. Just feeling a little discouraged. Also my Dr is prescribing me the NAL. However at my last visit he indicated that he would not prescribe indefinately. Saying it was like taking wellbutrin for smoking. Of course I know thats not true with TSM so I may need to discuss further with him.

Hawkeye,

I started the same day as you and also had Thanksgiving in mind for a full cure. Not looking like that's going to happen. Was also drinking at lower levels for awhile but have hit a spike in cravings and number of drinks over the last week. I'm hoping that this is just part of the process and have started adding some resolve / willpower to the mix. It's not easy when this was supposed to be effortless but it also takes less willpower than before TSM... Maybe just try to limit yourself and get back on track...

And by Christmas or New Year's, we'll look back at this and laugh

Take care... you're not alone in this..

deleted by BGH

This is exactly what I was talking about in my post yesterday -- the three to four month cure period for most of us is (a) entirely misleading and (b) is setting us up for a big disappointment.

Progress on TSM is a roller coaster and your drinking will be all over the map while on your journey -- this is universal to everyone. The fact that there was a substantial drop is huge evidence that TSM works for you and that you are not in the unlucky 20% it may not work for. Forget focusing on time frames and focus on your improvement during the process. Notice your reduced cravings on your AF days; notice that you probably have a lot more control when you drink now. In other words, focus on your improvement and not the amount of time you've been on TSM because three to four months and a magic cure is not realistic. However, a very gradual but noticeable control over your drinking will occur. And this would be considered a miracle for all of us if our expectations weren't to be entirely cured in three to four months.

I liken it to a movie -- if I go in with low expectations, I usually love it. If I go in with high expectations, I'm usually disappointed. TSM works but it takes patience and several months to work, not three or four, for almost all of us here.

Hi minneapolisnick
I needed to hear that about not focusing on the 3 to 4 months. I'm over 6 months on Nal, and was getting discouraged.
But I have seen positive changes and I need to focus on that not the length of time. I have more control when I drink and I'm having more AF days so I am making progress, but initially I was focused on being 'cured' in a certain time frame and when I didn't meet that time frame I began having doubts, but I have persevered and now I'm still very hopeful.

I find myself sometimes getting in a rut. It is like I am trying to get the feeling I had pre-TSM. I think it is probably OK. It may be another set of triggers to kill. I kind of think of it like changing ofb seasons. Like btwn summer and fall. First you get 1-2 cool days then warm again for a while. then 3-4 cool days then warm for a shorter period. then a week and warm for a stil shorter period, til eventually it is all autumn weather. (Could do without winter.)
But, I believe like most things, I think it may take on somewhat of a cyclycal pattern til eventually it levels out. I think that is what is happening w/ me on TSM so far. I seem to think that in some of Lo0p's graphs I have seen this pattern/ somewhat.

Nick, you did it again, I am having to print out your reply here and carry it around with me along with your other one. Are you sure you aren't a motivational speaker??

I didn't set a date to be cured, but like a lot of us, I was hoping for a quick cure. I'm trying to be patient, but as you said BGH, going back is not an option! Stay the course hawkeye, and welcome. You're gonna like it here!

petal

Hawkeye,

How are you doing?

I am just coming off a bad night when I knew from the beginning that I was going to drink too much.. back to the old habit. Sitting here now wondering why.. what happens in the brain before even having the 1st drink that makes drinking too much a foregone conclusion? Had the feeling that the 'regular' amount wasn't going to be enough so I started refreshing my first drink - what exactly was I looking for?? I really hate the way I act with too much in my system, I know it's going to wreck the next day and I hate the guilt and the lack of control. So mad at myself...

I hope your levels are coming down or that youi've had a good period since last posting -

Cure by Thanksgiving.. that's a joke.

Virginia-

Last week was a little better(not drastically) but noticable(to me). Ive decided to add a little willpower to the equation. Instead of just taking my pill and drinking Im going to let the cravings decide. If I feel like not drinking is doable then I wont. If I feel the craving is to intense then I will. Im hoping this approach will get me 1 or 2 more AF days. That would be nice.

I'm with you on the willpower - won't drink today. I usually don't on Monday's. Then I have plans tomorrow night and will try to go for a 3rd AF day on Wednesday, as long as the cravings aren't too overwhelming. Instead of just breaking down the alcoholic super-pathways, I want to start building new healthy pathways.

Good luck!!!