Hi Virginia,

I can't answer your question about willpower prior to TSM. And the reason for this is that I never tried willpower prior to TSM. What happened was that my therapist gave me an ultimatum to do something about my alcohol intake because, in her opinion, it was interfering with the therapeutic process. And I agreed with her. So, I needed to act quickly. First, I tried AA but was unhappy with it (not from the spiritual element). Then, I launched myself into TSM.

I am not white-knuckling at all. On the contrary, I just made a decision to try drinking less - borne out of frustration with TSM.

All the very best.

V.

Hi corkit,

So, that's at least two people walking around with a smile on our faces...



Who knows, this could be contagious!

All the best.

V.

Ah yes, that's exactly what I was trying to say! Thinking back, my previous psychiatrist (a very good one I can no longer afford, alas) also suggested the same thing with alcohol.

Thanks for the link V, that company looks good from the website. I've heard good reports about goodhealthnaturally but they don't carry a lot of the supplements either, so that's very useful info

8

Thanks to all of you, I was able to have an AF day yesterday. The suggestion regarding a little willpower made a difference plus a little Penn and Teller.

It actually wasn't difficult, although I had a lot of units the night before (about 10-12). I was at the end of the year party for the music organization I work for....BUT,...I would've been way more loaded in previous years with access to top of the line tequila, Macallan Single malt, (the wine sucked and it was an Italian restaurant), and good ol Peroni beer. SO I only had 8 units or so at the party. Left with a buzz is all (over 3.5 hours). Came home and knocked a few more down as I started arguing with the Mrs. about some inane crap having nothing to do with drinking.

Thank you guys for the suggestion. I may try for a day 2. No promises obviously....

Best, Jim

Virgil -- I am elated and moved to hear that, for whatever reason, you finally are enjoying some much-deserved progress!!!

I've long thought there's something to adding a pinch of willpower to the mix. Maybe we need to assign it a different moniker: How's "resolve"? The 12-step types seem to have co-opted the term "willpower" and they equate it with white-knuckling.

I remember what seems like eons ago, when we were still in the early stages at the MyWayOut board, and N101CS forgot to re-order from River and was in a bit of a panic. He was more or less forced, after fourteen weeks or so, to go AF for three or four days. He found it surprisingly easy, although not effortless! But it didn't just happen. Had he been still in the throes of addiction then surely he would have succumbed to alcohol. It was not effortless but it was easier than he thought! I've never forgotten that. It's an entirely passive process for some, but I think we have discounted the value of experimenting, as you are now, with some measure of resolve.

Again, I'm thrilled for you and will be watching intently for more reports from the front lines.

I am not white-knuckling at all. On the contrary, I just made a decision to try drinking less - borne out of frustration with TSM.

All the very best.

V.[/quote]
[color=#BF0040

]I think I am right there with you, I have "resolve" and determination, maybe that's redundant, but I have it.
I had to get scared into it, but it happened.
Good for us Virgil! And high hopes for all of us to continue towards the success of our quest. [/color]

Hi Lena,

I value your feedback - thank you. As I was only in AA for a couple of months, I guess I hadn't realized that the term "willpower" is associated with AA and, moreover, that it equates to white-knuckling. So, I have just had a look at Thesaurus.com and it lists the following as synonyms for willpower:

discipline, drive, firmness, fixity, force, grit, resolution, resolve, self-control, self-discipline, self-government, self-restraint, single-mindedness, strength, will

I quite like the words - resolve, self-discipline and single-mindedness. Interestingly, my fellow Brit, eight days a week, recently described me as single-minded. Consequently, I'll use each of the above three words interchangeably - instead of willpower.

Best wishes.

V.

deleted by BGH

Hi Virgil - add another smiling face to your tally - this made me smile as well !

In honor of you I am going to go AF tonight. I'm nearly out of wine and my body and spirit are tired so it will be a much needed break. Am also thinking alot about willpower, or resolve or any of the other wonderful words you've suggested: maybe TSM can really be boiled down to reducing the cravings just enough to let us enjoy a bit of willpower. I still feel like drinking these days but I also know that if I tried a bit, I could get hooked on AFs. My desire to drink is down enough at this point and I need to start trying again. Nobody else is going to magically stop pouring those glasses of wine. It's up to me.

Thank you for giving me encouragement by example. I hope you are able to stick to your plan and I am so very, very, very happy that you were able to cut back. That is really exciting news on this board!

Hi H4O,

What can I say? I'm flattered, honoured, bowled over, blown away and moved by your kind words of support and encouragement. For as long as I can remember, I have viewed myself in a dim light; in short, I have low self-esteem. Comments such as yours above and those from other members are so uplifting that I cannot thank you all enough.

My best wishes to all of you.

V.