Feeling good, felling optimistic for the first time in years

Pre: 46 – 80+ units
Wk/Units/Craving
1: ...46 ......10
2: ...40 ......10
3: ...40.......9
4: ...In-progress
5: ...
6: ...
7: ...
8: ...
9: ...
10: ..
11:


Overall all feeling good because I know I'm on the way to a cure and my wife is behind me.

Tom

Good deal. Now just add the units per week (upw) you drank before starting Sinclair. Eventually you'll want to condense your week's units into one line (week 1/upw: 41). This is b/c there really isn't much progress on a 'day by day' basis. It's more month by month.

Hey! I just realized how I'm going to start recording progress now that I'm into the start of month 3!

Congratulations on Week 1, Tom -- looks like a good start!

Keep us posted.

Hi Tom,

Glad you joined us! It's great that you have your wife's support - so many of is have had to pursue this in secret. My husband knows, but not my daughters yet. The oldest is about to graduate from high school, and we've had a tough time in the past because of my drinking. She's convinced (been taught) that abstinance is the "right" way, and is too preoccupied with her own life to take this on right now. My youngest is about to turn 13, and unfortunately, pretty much EVERYTHING we say is told to her friends, who then spread it around middle school...then the counselors, teachers, etc. all eventually hear about it too. Just can't be TOO open with a girl her age, unless you don't mind that whatever you say will be shared with a couple hundred other people!

I'm just so thankful that my husband is on my side - (I think making him read the book is why). It's a scary ride, but much more so if you have to go it alone. Congratulations on getting started, and please keep us updated - we're all here for you.

I'm following all this and doing ok myself . Not alot of time though right now .
Bob's rougher night was alarming , in fact the 7 units didn't sound too, too heavy but with the Val and Busb .....Careful there... our minds are just as Happy said still addictive places . As you say Bob your brain is seeking the endorphin shot but try to let your mind drive the brain with consciousness that says " I know my brain has this old old habit but I'm really losing the need for it and will stand in to take charge over my reflexive behaviour ".

Looks like Going4 has a good solution for the scoreboard that gets a bit overloaded .

KrazyKris,

My daughter is a freshman in college and my son is a sophmore in HS. They to have been thru a lot due to my drinking - mostly emotional insecurity and fearing their dad was dead when I'd be gone for a day. On the bright side my sister who was an AA booster due to her ex-husband's drinking saw a report on CNN about Naltrexone vs abstainence so when I told her about Sinclair she was very supportive. She wants the book and is now reading articles on the Web. With her on my side it will be easier to tell my other 7 siblings.

Tom

Hi Tom,

Which report did your sister see on CNN? Here is a link to one that most members on this board are aware of:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/15/addiction.cold.turkey.pill/index.html

However, this one didn't put TSM is a positive light - it suggested that Nal+abstinence didn't work well, and that it wasn't ethical, or even effective to use with drinking, because alcoholics wouldn't comply if they didn't still get the "buzz" or whatever. We know different, but the rest of the world is unlikely to listen when the rehab industry won't support TSM. They don't want to give up the money they make on expensive treatments, even if it could save lives.

Why is your sister willing to look beyond the possibility that anything short of total abstinence might work? Is she just really open-minded, or does she not realize that drinking is required with Naltrexone to acheive results? We'd all like to understand how the effect of the publicity about Naltrexone will help or hurt TSM. Maybe just hearing that Nal is used to treat alcoholism will increase acceptance of its use, even if people don't truly understand how it needs to be used in order to work. Please let us know the details about how your sister is reacting to all of this, especially in light of her association with AA.

We need all the support we can get to convince family, friends, and society in general that TSM is not just and excuse for alcoholics to keep drinking, but a potential cure for a disease that is so devastating. The book is a great start, but we need to find non-alcoholic supporters who believe in us. Please keep us posted, and thanks for sharing!

Hi all,

Just started week 3. I am feeling very positive for the first time in years.


Pre: 46 – 80+ units
Wk/Units/Craving
1: ...44 ......8
2: .. 40......8
3: ...in progress
4: ...
5: ...
6: ...
7: ...
8: ...
9: ...
10: ..
11:


Naltrxone + Drink = Cure.

Best regards to all.
Tom

Hi all,

Week three is done. Still feeling good. Going to lunch with my dad this weekend. He knows about TSM and he supports me. I am looking forward to having a burger and a couple of draft beers with him as we sit on the back deck of a resturant over looking a beautiful a lake. I have missed that.

Pre: 46 – 80+ units
Wk/Units/Craving
1: ...44 .....10
2: .. 40......10 2 AF
3: ...40......9.. 3 AF
5: ...
6: ...
7: ...
8: ...
9: ...
10: ..

AF's are not uncommon for me. Even at the height of my drinking I was able to get at least one AF day a week.


Naltrxone + Drink = Cure.

Best regards to all.
Tom

Great progress Tom - enjoy the company, beer+Nal, and the Lake this weekend.