Well, I finally took your advice and am now posting in the weekly progress section. So here goes my story. I hope it will help someone else.

In short...My drinking became a problem about 3 years ago after my dad died. I tried AA and that was a disaster. I am a 43 year old mom of two kids and I know that I need to slow down/ stop my drinking before it is too late. I also deal with psoriatic arthritis so pain is a daily thing. I am tired of being tired. Pre TSM I was 40 + units a week. In the first few week I did see my numbers drop. However, this week had been a mess. My numbers are going to be close to 40.

Can anyone out there throw some encouragement my way. I really, really, really need to hear that this thing works. I truly feel that this is my last hope!!!!

Thanks!

Hey Georgia --

Don't fret too much. Your experience is classic. A "honeymoon" period followed by an increase. So very common, but also really discouraging to muddle through.

Chances are this will take some months to work. So you need to keep your eyes on the long horizon, even as the struggle stays a day-to-day thing.

When I'm in doubt I find it helps to read through the "cured/control" thread and lists. I like to see how people fared who made it to their goal. Almost all of them found it a struggle that took time. Almost all of them had times of lost hope. And all of them turned a corner at some point.

The common denominator: they stuck with it.

However low they got, they stuck with it. So you do that too. Follow the basic rule of nal+one hour + patience. And give yourself credit for making the decision to reclaim your life. And for the daily work you are doing in that direction, starting with staying true to the golden rule.

And stay with the forum. Getting help and support -- and giving other people hope -- is critical as well.

You can do it!

Thanks Tiller. I read your thread almost every day. You always have great advice. I will stick with this. Alcohol will not win this battle! I owe it to myself and to my family to kick this monster.

I think the hardest thing to do it wait. Many times we don't stop and remember that we did't get this way over night. Therefor, why should we think that there is an instant fix?

Again, thanks!

Yes! It works! TSM is WAY imperfect, but it does work...in it's own sweet time. That you had an initial honeymoon bodes very well for your ultimate success.

I'm glad to hear from you, and hear how you're doing. I know that's hard when your #'s bounce up again, and at times like that you have to really step back and look at your life like a landscape and compare it NOW to how it was last December. When the #'s aren't reassuring, you have to come up w/ other ways to see your success, such as if you're doing better in social situations...have better ability to stop drinking after you start...can do an AF day more easily. I'm sure you have some criteria of your own that shows your improvement, so please focus on those!

Yep, Tom Petty sure got THAT right But...when we arrive at our destination - our own description of cured - it will no longer matter that it took "too long". In fact, maybe we'll appreciate it all the more. Until then, stay in touch!

I can sympathize with your sentiments. Check out my unit count, you will see I hit preTSM levels once and came close a few other times. But look at the last six weeks!

It's a long process. In the middle, it seemed to me it would never end. In the beginning, it's so exciting. The honeymoon is awesome. And then it ends and the roller coaster begins. The ups, downs. The progress and the set backs. It gets really depressing.

But, looking back, it's worth it to be able to start setting goals and keep them. It's liberating to go to sleep sober. Not a drop in me. I can prove it because I have my log. I can look at where I was and where I am today.

I don't know if that helps, but the threads of those who were ahead of me kept me plugging along. I was going to drink anyway, so I lost nothing by taking the nal and keeping my log. It's not as long as you think!

Take care!

Greetings Chrissie and Heavy Fuel:

Thanks for the great advice. This was the highest week of drinking I have had since I started TSM. Yes, it has been discouraging but I will keep on going just as you have said.

You all talked about setting goals and I know it is time to do that. This process works but I also have to work myself. I know what you mean about going to sleep sober. It is a great thing to know that I will have a good night's sleep and that the next day won't be spent feeling sick, tired and depresses. (sort of how I spent most of last week) So....here goes my goal for the nest week.

At least two AF days and check the TSM site every day.

Thanks! Hope you all are having a great week.

That's the spirit! Please report back and let us know how you did - either way, (though your goal sounds nicely moderate and doable.)

Well, another week of high numbers. I made half of my goal this week. I did read from the site every day. Very helpful. However, I only had 1 AF day. So, I will keep the same goal for next week.

I did have a break thru this week. I had to go to a dinner and I had 3 very small drinks. I left sober and was able to drive everybody home. This has not happened in forever. I an holding onto episodes like this to give me hope.

I also have noticed that even though I am still drinking my brain is telling me more and more that I really don't want to drink. This is something very strange and new for me.

Keep your gingers crossed for me. My craving is really up today. However, drinking will not be an option. My son has a baseball game today and I have to drive over an hour both ways tonight. A blessing!

Well, another week of high numbers. I made half of my goal this week. I did read from the site every day. Very helpful. However, I only had 1 AF day. So, I will keep the same goal for next week.

I did have a break thru this week. I had to go to a dinner and I had 3 very small drinks. I left sober and was able to drive everybody home. This has not happened in forever. I an holding onto episodes like this to give me hope.

I also have noticed that even though I am still drinking my brain is telling me more and more that I really don't want to drink. This is something very strange and new for me.

Keep your gingers crossed for me. My craving is really up today. However, drinking will not be an option. My son has a baseball game today and I have to drive over an hour both ways tonight. A blessing!

Hey G -- Progress is measured in a lot of ways, not just numbers. A changing attitude is really important and it's what a lot of people report on their way to regaining control. So, good going!