Dear friends,

I started this on April 3. I have been a heavy daily drinker for 35 years - every night. As of last night there was a sudden change in my desire to drink - as in I really didn't want to!! Someone else referred to flipping the switch and that is how I would describe it. Tonight I attended a monthly function where I normally drink with much gusto and get the usual results. I have had 3 drinks since 5 o'clock and sit here stone sober. It is beyond my wildest expectations. I had no honeymoon period and did maintain my drinking at 75% of what I had been presinclair until yesterday. If this is "the cure" (dare I say it?) I want to drop to my knees and thank Dr. Sinclair, Dr. Eskapa and all of you for your part in my journey. All of you, please just keep the faith. I don't know if this will last but it is something I haven't experienced before on this program and I am most thrilled.

By the way, I also had vivid dreams up until I started taking Nal earlier in the day. I don't drink until 5pm and after reading Bob3's post regarding what is in the bloodstream I realized I could take it well before the hour prior to drinking. Now I have no dreams - of course this could be a coincidence.

As always, wishing you all the best,

bb

Hi BB,

I'm pleased for you and isn't it interesting? Your story demonstrates to me the unpredictable nature of TSM. Several people have observed recently that their long history of heavy drinking is perhaps an explanation for why their progress with TSM is slower than expected. Yet, as you say, you have been "a heavy daily drinker for 35 years" and in little over 2 months, you have noticed "a sudden change in my desire to drink". As the title of your thread states - absolutely unbelievable!

Long may it continue for you!

V.

bb,

Congrats !!. I LOVE positive posts. I was optimistic yesterday and today I am very optimistic. Keep posting. Thanks.

Best Regards,
Tom

Pre: 46 – 80+ units
Wk/Units/Craving
1: ...44 .....10
2: .. 40......10..2 AF
3: ...40......9...3 AF
4: ...31......9...4 AF
5: ...20......7...5 AF
6.....33......7...2 AF
7.....44......7...3 AF
8....in progress

Thank you all so much for your kind words.

Funny that even before a couple of nights ago when I noticed the difference, the Sinclair Method had really "rocked" my world. Though I hadn't at all reached a safe level of drinking, my intoxication was a different animal so to speak. I was pleasant, aware and not blacking out. Others have stated this better but anyway I look at it the Nal has made a huge difference in the way I feel about myself. And that is BIG to me!

There is light and WTE, the dimmer accomplishes the same end. YEAH!

bb,

As I said yesterday, CONGRATS !!! I love positive news. What I find amazing is that most of the folks on this message board would rather moan then discuss your HUGE VICTORY. I know I am going to get guff for that last line but what the heck. This message board is getting like a bad AA meeting. Let's not complicate it. I know the beast all too well - lost jobs,lost friends, broken relationships, waking up in strange beds in strange cities, wrecked cars, nut wards, detoxes, puking on myself, puking on others, peeing on myself, craping on myself, missed events, passed out in cars, blackouts, brownouts, sleezy bars, I was mugged a few times, and I lost thousands of dollars(and that's not the half of it). I do not take alcoholism lightly. Read the book and just DO IT. For all you who are offended - oh well. If one person reads this and makes it then it's worth it. WE HAVE A WAY OUT. NALTEXONE + DRINKING = CURE.

Best Regards to All
Tom

Pre: 46 – 80+ units
Wk/Units/Craving
1: ...44 .....10
2: .. 40......10..2 AF
3: ...40......9...3 AF
4: ...31......9...4 AF
5: ...20......7...5 AF
6.....33......7...2 AF
7.....44......7...3 AF
8....in progress

Far from being offended, I absolutely second that emotion, Tom! I could not agree more -- this board needs to more accurately reflect all of the AMAZING success stories most of us are experiencing here on a daily basis. The fact of the matter is that it is human nature to be more vocal if things are not working out as expected; conversely, people who have great success with TSM tend to move on and not post so much. You can only say, "I'm doing great" so many times on the board! AND IN NO WAY am I diminishing the pain and frustration of people who have not (yet) cured their addiction on this board. I AM saying a celebration of the many daily miracles that are occurring on this board would be entirely appropriate!

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN BAMABEACHIN', SPRINGERRIDER and to the MANY others here who are reporting huge reductions in both their consumption and cravings!

I'm 100% with you, Tom & Nick, let's start celebrating.

We need to hear how people are succeeding and the more encouragement and pats on the back we give those users who are doing well, the less likely they are to leave. No one should feel uncomfortable about winning here. Those that are not yet there, will be soon - and you had better believe they will be the loudest shouters once they get there.

So - I'm shouting out for BB and I'm shouting out for myself. I have been able to have multiple, multiple nights of JUST ONE DRINK over the past 2 weeks and I'm beyond happy about it. It's a miracle. I feel normal.

BB - I'm so happy for you, and your story is an inspiration for the late bloomers here.I hope it continues and I'm sorry I did not comment prior to Tom's post calling it to my attention. Please keep posting.

mclanet0326,

I find this deeply offensive to many members of this community. Everybody using this forum has a need for, and a right to receive, support. Comments like this are unfair and will hurt a lot of people, including myself. I have been practicing TSM for 13 weeks and I am not aware of any progress to date. I try to report things as they are and don't go out of my way to 'moan'. Indeed, I strive to keep a positive outlook at all times. I have had no HUGE VICTORY. Of course, you may not have had me personally in mind when you said what you did above but I strongly identify with those who have been (and still are) going through tough times.

Tom, you have become a well-respected member of this forum. I ask you to apologize unreservedly.

We all make mistakes.

V.

I totally agree, BUT. This is a reflection of the journey, and not a cheerleading team. Looking at your numbers I can see why you haven't felt tempted to come on and moan - from 46-80+ upw down, consistently, to no more than 44 units since starting. And some weeks in the 20-30 range. Why would you groan?

But those of us who experience less steady progress and sudden sharp spikes in drinking get anxious and fearful. Normal enough. And this MB gives us a place to come and share our feelings - and someone else always comes on to remind us that it's all part of the process, and we will experience success. We're encouraged to hang in there.

Six months from now a newbie coming on to read old threads will see what we've all been through, and will almost surely identify with someone who has patterns similar to their own. And THEY will be encouraged, since they will be able to see we made it through, after all.

So it's all good - the celebrations, and the despairs. Just so we keep on taking our naltrexone b/4 we drink!