I already posted in the TSM questions area and got some great advise there, but I thought I should do one of these threads as well.

Here is my story, started drinking for the first time around 24 years of age (I was once a Pro sports athlete and never drank or smoke as it reduced my performance. I was an Endurance athelete and I would rather not say which sport as it will probably reveal my identity) , at first it was just a couple of beers a few times a week due to stress of work, but I got into the habit of going over board on a Saturday night with friends or who ever. I then started drinking more and more through the week and the binges became more frequent and more alcohol. So it is over 10 years since then and the last 2-3 years have not been good, I have embarrassed my self on several occasions and although people tell me that it was just funny and don't think anything of it, I don't like it. My problem is that work functions are always on and there is always lovey free beer and you can drink all you want. Of coarse that is like opening the gate to the sheep for the wolf, and the night is barely ever remembered.

So I started reading up on how to curb my habit and I came across Naltrexone, but it was in the order of taking it everyday for 12 weeks and I did not like that idea. So I thought to myself ,why not just take it on the days that you drink and so I went back to my trusty friend and research partner 'Google' and I came across this web page. Although it was not what I had in mind it certainly makes sense.

I will state, right here and now that I really want this to work for me, but I am very skeptical that it will in fact curb my drinking. However, I am going to give it a good shot and not break the rules of drinking without taking the pill to give it a chance to work.

So my first night was last night, I took 50mg of Naltima and I ended up drinking as much as I normally would, 10 units on a Friday night. I felt that my drinking pace was a bit slower and that I felt more drunk than usual, actually the first hour after the 50mg felt like I had a few beers in me although I had yet to start drinking. I found that I slept incredibly deeply ,but I woke up a few times during the night (But I usually wake up a few times during the night, so nothing new there). So a lot of people are saying that they can't sleep which was exactly the opposite for me. The next day (Today) felt like the drink was still there. I don't get hangovers, even after 30-40 unit nights but I did feel a little strange for a few hours after getting up. Although it has been 12 hours since drinking and I feel like I normally would now.

So I am a 100+ weekly drinker and I measured my last week before starting at 105 units US. So hopefully I won't get discouraged and stop posting , or get lazy and stop posting and keep this thread updated.

Cheers Dave

Good luck Dave. The side effects can be alarming at first, but they go away. Naltrexone worked really well for me, I hope it works well for you too.

Hi Dave, I am just about your age. All the best man, give it a go, it might help, I am just at the beginning of the treatment myself, otherwise there are other options medical ones and of course the AA. I was very thirsty on my first nal dosages and drunk lots of water, still do but less so, and I felt more together with the pill than without. I've binged quite a few times on it since, but somehow didn't end up doing some of the crazy **** I did without it, dui's, brothels that kind of stuff.

Hi Joe, thanks for the support.

OK, first day was 9 units, second day was 9 units but I really forced those last 3 units down. The 3rd day I went to 3 units and I really had to push myself to drink the last unit. I don't feel like drinking today so today is AF day.

One thing I have noticed, or should say is glaring in my behavior is the EXTREME IRRITABILITY!!!! I have never been so irritable before in my life, just the slightest thing sets me off, I hope this gets better, b/c I don't have any other side effects so far.

Dave,

Glad to see you posting and great for the AF day already.

I had easy irritability. It does get better.

No hangovers. I know the feeling. I've felt like a freak, compared to normal people. Too much practice I guess. However, over the last couple of weeks, weeks 8-9, I feel hangovers creeping back in. I've read about those on the board. People refer to them as Nalover's I think. I think it makes me feel more normal, feeling bad after a binge now.

As far as the free unlimited beer. That clobbered me Sat. night. I had a small town wedding reception, unlimited free draft beer. Had too many.

Talk to you later.

Thanks for the reply.

Good to know I am not the only one with irritability!

I feel much better today after a days break from taking the nal, so it is definitively the culprit.

Most of my drinking outside of home is free drinks, so I am a step behind from the beginning in that regard.

I do so much better when I can avoid the free drinks or simply the booze fest parties and events. My drinking alone is going down down down, slowly but surely.

OK, first weeks results.

35 units.

2 weeks prior to taking nal 105 units and 94 units respectively.

I have just not been able to drink more than a couple of beers at a time. Maybe it is the honeymoon period???

Here is a graph, started on the 22nd and everything after the red line is on nal.

Dave,
Let's just hope the honeymoon lasts a long time! I just started Nal and have not had much change in my drinking habits. Sounds like a great beginning for you. Best of luck!
LindaM

Good job Bro. What software did you use to post your graph? (EDIT:I figured it out.)