I was thinking today. That the best way I've ever heard alcoholism described is the fear of empty glass. I've just started taking the naltrexone and the one thing I've noticed is I don't get that anymore. I still have cravings to drink when I'm sober but when I take the nal, wait an hour and then drink I don't get that feeling. Like when I'm nearing the 5th beer on the six pack I brought home, I use to get very uncomfortable. It's not the same now. I guess it's because I'm not getting that same high I use to. I really think this is going to work.

Coggi
This is so so true , I too am relieved of that hideous worry and what a joy it is
it really pinpoints the hope for what we're into . I'm coming to end of wk 3 and barring a couple of occaisions I've had this no fear of empty glass since doing tsm.
Enjoy

Furthermore Cogg, I think there's an awful lot of things people here would like to get shot of and see hope now .
I know the kind of occaision when you can see the bottle down the other end of the table and the refills start and you can just see what's happening you end up with the last half glass , politely shrug yet think "damn, I needed it more then they do".If they're normal drinkers such a thing really wouldn't bother them . But if I acted on my feeling I 'd strech accross the table and shove my glass under the bottle!

I have been out to dinner with normal people in the past and I just know there will not be enough alcohol purchased to satisfy me, let alone me and them as well.

I used to take my own stash in my bag and go to the loo often.

I also used to always have 3 or 4 cans in the house 'just in case'. Since TSM I usually bring one or sometimes two home with me, I have had nights where I don't touch them, other nights I might have one. But if I run out there is no panic, in fact I feel quite relieved that it is gone and I don't have to drink anymore.

Be prepared for this to go away after a week or so. We often refer to the first we on Nal as the Honeymoon period. Most of us experience a sharp dip on our drinking levels during the first week, then a return to nearly our pre-sinclair levels in following weeks. Beyond this, our drinking levels slowly start falling as true extinction begins to occur.

elfern's quote "I know the kind of occaision when you can see the bottle down the other end of the table and the refills start and you can just see what's happening you end up with the last half glass , politely shrug yet think "damn, I needed it more then they do".If they're normal drinkers such a thing really wouldn't bother them . But if I acted on my feeling I 'd strech accross the table and shove my glass under the bottle!"[/quote]I am right there with you, how true that rings!
And "sneaking more!"

Q,

Thanks for the the heads up. I'll be looking for the "rebound period". But still, this is a better experience than I've had w/ anything else I've tried. And I've tried everything. I'm hopeful but I am keeping an eye on the rug so to speak, just in case it gets pulled out again. The one thing that keeps popping up in my head though, is that this approach makes sense....


week 1 54 u/w craving 7
week 2 we'll see : )

Coggi,

Your drinking may go up again as mine did but that fear of the empty glass has not returned- there may have been the odd empty glass anxiety night, but the fear seems to have gone- and good bloody riddance.

We should not be surprised that pharmacological extinction actually works. Extinction produces a reversal in the biology and physiology of addiction resetting the brain back towards its pre-addicted state. Craving diminishes and actual drinking levels go down.

This happens slowly - over weeks and months - and depends on the individual. For instance, recently a 22 year olf woman wrote saying that she had been completely cured of her craving and excessive drinking (to the point of blacking ou) aftyer 3 months. She was immensely grateful. She had hidden her addiction from the world as much as she could. Yet others can take up to 6 months before there is clear-cut reduction in craving and addiction.

It is imperative that patients keep faith in the treatment. One once control over alcohol has been re-established it is vital to follow the Golden Rule: Never Ever Drink Without Taking Naltrexone Before You Do.

Alas in rural India patients are reported to have relapsed back to heavy drinking because they cannot afford the $1 per tablet. After treatment some began sampling alcohol WITHOUT the medication and pretty soon after a few week the addiction was re-established, relearned.