To save bit of space and rehashing things, my introduction thread can be found:

http://www.thesinclairmethod.net/community/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2518

Ok. One week done. I spent some time going back over receipts. Unfortunately, these receipts tell a story I don’t really like. I put my actual usage at 70-80 units per week. This is pulling for 90 days. Not a good story, a bit worse than I had thought: I had guessed 65 -75 units. Not insurmountable.

Here’s a summary of week one: 10, 10, 8, 12, 7, 2, 4

The first two days, I only took a 25mg dose. On day three, I took the full 50mg, went down by two. Day three, started drinking early with friends at a bar. I think I drank enough to overpower the naltrexone. Sunday, I felt bad. I woke up feeling ok. While I was out, I started sweating. Felt jittery. And nauseous. The sweat felt like one from a bad hangover. It took me three hours to get back to normal. Just in time to drink seven beers. The last beer, I really didn’t want. But I had opened it and drank about 1/3. Monday night, I drank two. The first one, I wanted, the second, I really only wanted about half. Beer tastes bad, but it’s like I cannot help but keep trying for the rush and taste. There is no rush. There is no taste.

I think if I had started off at 50 MG, I would have had a smaller count this week, by about eight. But that’s not what happened. No AF days for me, but I did leave a couple of beers out until they were hot… cause I forgot about them! Now, if I could just keep doing that!!!

I don’t know if my experience shows a “honeymoon.” But for me, the last three days have been ok. The last two strangely encouraging. I will continue on: where I am going is better than where I am.

I have been reading the posts here. Some posts I identify with more than others, but all in all, I can identify with some of everyone. I even saw one poster quote my favorite poem, and allude to another I like, which hardly anyone ever does. We are all on the same quest. And have many of common experiences. I am happy to be here, and truthfully, thankful for your advice and good wishes. Hope I am ready for the roller coaster!

Thanks again for welcoming me to the community! Nal on!!!

Welcome HF

I would say you are experiencing the honeymoon given your pre-TSM units and the feelings you have had about drinking, which are equally as important as the units themselves.
Good luck with it all and buckle up for the roller coaster!

Cheers
Sticky

Quick midweek update. This past week, I had four really good days at work. I felt like my old self! My mind was clear. Last night, I drank too much and today I have a bad hangover. I only drank 11, but my mind was hazy again. Plus, I had the sweats as if I had drank a LOT. It was disgusting to go from the clear, no hang over sweats, on the ball me to this hungover, clammy, slow me.

HF, I've found that Nal gets me drunk a hell of a lot quicker, and hungover a hell of a lot quicker too. The weird thing with me is my hangovers are actually better on Nal. Pre-Nal, I had terrible panic attacks the day after over-drinking but I was also drinking twice as much. My doctor says these were withdrawal symptoms. I can't believe I didn't put that together before. Anyway, on Nal, I'm simply hungover - so far no Panic attacks (which is great).

I figure we all have to get used to a new drinking routine, including a new "damage control" routine regarding hangovers. Keep going - you'll figure out your new drinking routine in no time.

Thanks! That total of 11 scares me a bit. That is a little more than I would have drank a couple of weeks ago. And I know that nal hangovers are worse than non nal hangovers.

Last night I had four. Yep. That's it! I felt good about that when I woke up this morning. I didn't think about it last night. I was drowsy and didn't want any more. I did that automatically. I hope that continues!

You are right on track, HF. When I write HF it reminds me of Hugh Hefner... I want to call you Hef.

Nonetheless, I am encouraging you to track your unit intake vigilantly. Don't overthink the process too much because you are in for a lengthy ride. Think marathon, NOT sprint. So don't get tangled in the numbers. There are things like "extinction bursts" that people have in TSM where after seemingly controlling one's intake, alcoholism rears it's ugly head and boom-- there is an extreme binge where unit intake is extremely high.

It's a winding road, that's for sure.

My hangovers are far worse now than pre-TSM. They are severe and dibilitating. Sheer hell.

I am glad that you are optimistic and involved here on this forum Hef.

Keep us posted,

Ketchikan1

Hef? Ok! I wish I had lived the life he has lived!

I appreciate the advice. I track this obsessively. I know I must be patient, but I want my life back. More than anything else.

Today is the first day of college football, I went to the local pub to watch a game or two. I sat down, had two beers (2.67 units of Sam Summer) and a very late lunch. Then I tabbed out.

I came home and am watching some more football. My drink? Water. I used to joke that WC Fields was right, fish do horrible things in water and that's why one shouldn't drink it!

Nice work HF! It's just a wonderful feeling to be able to stop after two drinks...

Ok. Last two days have blown my numbers. But even worse, this hangover is brutal. I haven't had one like this in months. This is worse than when I went nuts with the Captain Morgan.... I should have done this yesterday. I had to work through this. My first meeting was at 7 AM. EARLY. /End of Whine.

On the plus side, I had to make an impromptu presentation, I pulled it off. Then it dawned on me that's years of practice. The kind of practice I don't want to keep doing. This only encourages me that much more: the nal is working. Hangovers suck, but I'll take'em. A few months of this, and I get my life back. So, I can grin and bear this with a smile!

The idea of giving a presentation while hungover is 90% of the reason I am doing TSM to begin with (seriously). Kudos for pulling it off. Keep going!