Pre-sinclair 84 units

I measure 1 x 75cl bottle white wine (12%) as 10 units.

Week 1: 71 units - craving 8
Week 2: 82 units - craving 7/8 (this included one bad night of 17 units)
Week 3: underway - better

No nausea - some tiredness while drinking - sleep now returned to normal. Sweating slightly after low alc days (withdrawal?).

Good Luck everyone.

Hi all, just finished week 3 and feeling quite discouraged. 83 units (pre TSM 84). I have had a couple of nights this week of very heavy drinking - can't identify any particular triggers, just couldn't seem to get enough of the stuff. My mood has been low - flat and listless. Dr E says this probably isn't the Nal. In truth, heavy alc intake and the associated hangover blues may account for this. I have been feeling very lethargic and antisocial as well, so activity and human contact has also been very low - not a good recipe for a stable mood! I catch up on everyone's posts everyday and find that helpful to a degree. I have a kind, understanding husband (not a big drinker) who is very supportive of me and TSM, but I do find this a very lonely place to be at times.

I have thought recently that just understanding the mechanics of addiction, and the possibility of actually beating it, peels off some level of denial that problem drinkers embrace to protect themselves from the stark reality of their condition. This then allows other life problems to become more prominent. Or maybe it's just me?!

Anyway, I'm trying to keep the faith and not be too impatient/demoralised. Good luck to everyone and thanks for posting your thoughts and experiences on this forum.

Hi Shasha


Unit wise it seems to be right on target- most people go back to their previous levels or go up during week 2 and 3.

I also have experienced some 'low days' this week and was wondering about it...in you case I think it is probably the alcohol and the mixture of the nal/hangovers etc- I would say it is all pretty normal and likely to improve during the next few weeks.

I wonder if I am feeling a bit blue simply because I am allowing myself to feel? Things come up and I don't run to grab a bottle- I am having memories of incidents in the past- some of them years ago- I wonder if my mind is trying to deal with them because I did not allow myself to then? I don't know... I also think your theory "I have thought recently that just understanding the mechanics of addiction, and the possibility of actually beating it, peels off some level of denial that problem drinkers embrace to protect themselves from the stark reality of their condition. This then allows other life problems to become more prominent"... could also hold a lot of truth.

Well, let us see where next week takes us- please don't get demoralised as you are doing just as you should be at this stage

This is absolutely spot on , and why not , if one feels there is a viable solution
it gets easy to admit that "yes , there is a problem and what a problem it is too ".
Such insights show that old cogs are turning again , you're on the mend .
Despite that your despair is clear , hold fast Shasha , the dawn will surprise you
soon .

Yeah,
Once you are reasonably free of the pangs of alcohol, life will be there waiting at your front door. Beyond the young, I don't give much credence to the idea that alcoholics are deeply indulging in self-medication to a point where life is unbearable without it. Most mature over time to manage such insecurities. Keep using the SM and you will discover that you are saner than you thought. You may wish to make use of AA to talk out your issues or join a local growth group. I would not mention to the AA’ers that you are drinking lest you want them throwing white chips and big books at you all the way to the parking lot.

Sinclair is about breaking addiction. The rest of the lunacy is your own.

Hi marby, elfern, SR - thanks for your encouragement and support.

SR - I decided many years ago that AA or any kind of group therapy was anathema to me - just not a "group" kind of person. Not knocking it - I have no right to, having never tried it. One-to-one therapy has helped a lot to iron out the wrinkles, but has had no real effect on the drinking.

I think I am as sane as life allows anyone to be - but I will be infinitely better able to function to my potential once alcohol addiction is out of my life.

Hope everyone has a good Sunday. Take care and good luck. Shasha

PS - had a "light" night yesterday so feeling much perkier and more optimistic today.

Sasha,

Progress is great isn't it? Those light days will turn to AF days in coming weeks. This week, I've had no problem at all taking 2 AF days in a row and with the exception of 1 night, had normal drinking levels all week.

Hi folks. Week 4 out of the way and into week 5. My progress is shown in my signature. It has been a difficult couple of weeks - I haven't had drinking levels like this for some years and it hit me hard mentally and physically. I have been keeping up with all the threads (some fascinating stuff!) but haven't felt I could contribute much. I have noticed a very slight change this week - taking Nal at 5pm ready for 6pm witching hour, but not bothering to pick up a drink until nearly 7pm. I guess this is a start.

Onwards and upwards - good luck to all. Shasha.

PS: I forget who brought it up, but I can sympathise with the extreme night sweats - I hope they pass soon.

Sasha, many of us have noted our drinking levels spiking, even for several weeks. There's still been a difference in my thinking (less brain fog), and the experience of being drunk is subtly different.

Tomorrow I start week 8. I'm hoping to notice more substantial changes. . .but if I don't, I won't get discouraged. I really am in this for the long haul. As long as we remember that, we'll be OK.

OK - progress is in my signature - not so good.

However, last night I took Nal at 5pm - finally poured a drink at 7.30 and didn't touch it until nearly 8pm. I even seriously considered not drinking at all that night, even with the wine right there on the table. Seriously odd for me, and a real glimmer of hope. I did, however, end up drinking too much even if I had to stay up till the early hopes to get my "fill". Still, some signs of progress there I hope.

Good Luck everyone.